Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.12.34
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyThe Goal of Sacrifice Is Pleasing Hari
“By those riches, the King could procure the ingredients for three horse sacrifices. Thus the pious King Yudhiṣṭhira, who was very fearful after the Battle of Kurukṣetra, pleased Lord Hari, the Personality of Godhead.”
What the purport teaches
- Yudhiṣṭhira took responsibility for the sins of warfare and used the collected wealth for three horse sacrifices. His purpose was to please Lord Hari, not to enlarge his treasury.
- Even ordinary duties can involve unintentional sins. The main purpose of scripturally recommended sacrifice is always the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- In Kali-yuga, the recommended sacrifice is glorifying the Lord by chanting Kṛṣṇa's holy name without offense. This requires no expenditure and can lead to the highest perfection of returning home, back to Godhead.
Try this today
Take a few minutes today to chant Kṛṣṇa's holy name attentively, with the intention of pleasing Him.
Ask yourself
How can I make pleasing the Supreme Lord the purpose of my daily work?
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.