Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.18.45
Ūti· What drives us to actTrue Progress Leads Back to Godhead
“At that time the people in general will fall systematically from the path of a progressive civilization in respect to the qualitative engagements of the castes and the orders of society and the Vedic injunctions. Thus they will be more attracted to economic development for sense gratification, and as a result there will be an unwanted population on the level of dogs and monkeys.”
What the purport teaches
- The destination of Vedic civilization is to go back home, back to Godhead, where there is no birth, death, old age or disease.
- The qualitative social divisions and orders of life are planned by the Lord and His representatives, the great ṛṣis. They provide guidance in both material and spiritual matters.
- A civilization absorbed in economic development and sense gratification loses its spiritual direction. The Vedas guide people away from material darkness toward the light of the spiritual kingdom.
Try this today
Set aside five minutes today to study Vedic guidance rather than pursue another material purchase or pleasure.
Ask yourself
Is my idea of progress directed toward Godhead or mainly toward greater enjoyment?
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.