Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.5.22
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesA Devotee Surpasses Mystic Perfection
“Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thus being satisfied in all respects, the great mystic yogī Durvāsā took permission and left, continuously glorifying the King. Through the skyways, he went to Brahmaloka, which is devoid of agnostics and dry philosophical speculators.”
What the purport teaches
- Durvāsā Muni departed fully satisfied, taking permission and continuously glorifying the King. As a great mystic yogī, he could travel to Brahmaloka without a machine.
- Everyone in Brahmaloka is self-realized, so philosophical speculation is not needed there to reach the Absolute Truth.
- Durvāsā Muni apparently went there to speak about a devotee's power. The so-called jñānīs and yogīs cannot compare to a devotee.
Try this today
Spend one minute reflecting on why devotion is greater than mystic ability.
Ask yourself
Am I more impressed by extraordinary abilities or by devotion?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.