Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 23.8
Viṣṇu as the Only Object of Love
“ ‘When one develops an unflinching sense of ownership or possessiveness in relation to Lord Viṣṇu, or, in other words, when one thinks Viṣṇu and no one else to be the only object of love, such an awakening is called bhakti [devotion] by exalted persons like Bhīṣma, Prahlāda, Uddhava and Nārada.’
What the purport teaches
- Devotion involves an unflinching sense of ownership or possessiveness in relation to Lord Viṣṇu.
- This means thinking of Viṣṇu, and no one else, as the only object of love.
- Exalted persons like Bhīṣma, Prahlāda, Uddhava and Nārada call this awakening bhakti, or devotion.
Try this today
Spend a quiet minute reflecting on Lord Viṣṇu as the only object of love described in this verse.
Ask yourself
What does unflinching devotion to Lord Viṣṇu mean for the direction of my love?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.