Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.18.50
Mukti· LiberationStay Steady Through Transcendental Engagement
“Generally the transcendentalists, even though engaged by others in the dualities of the material world, are not distressed. Nor do they take pleasure [in worldly things], for they are transcendentally engaged.”
What the purport teaches
- Material distress and happiness arise from the three modes of material nature. Transcendentalists are beyond these modes, so they are generally neither distressed by worldly troubles nor delighted by worldly pleasures.
- Philosophers seek to merge into the Absolute, mystics seek to perceive the all-pervading Supersoul, and devotees engage in loving service to the Personality of Godhead. Brahman, Paramātmā and Bhagavān are different phases of the same Transcendence.
- The King was a devotee, and the sage was a mystic. Both remained unattached to the accidental incident, in which the child was an instrument of the Lord’s will.
Try this today
Set aside a few quiet minutes today for loving service to the Personality of Godhead, without making your present happiness or distress the focus.
Ask yourself
How might loving service to the Personality of Godhead help me remain steady amid worldly happiness and distress?
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.