Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.3.13
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSeek Lasting Happiness Through Spiritual Realization
“The eighth incarnation was King Ṛṣabha, son of King Nābhi and his wife Merudevī. In this incarnation the Lord showed the path of perfection, which is followed by those who have fully controlled their senses and who are honored by all orders of life.”
What the purport teaches
- King Ṛṣabha taught that human life is meant for eternal, unlimited happiness through spiritual realization. Temporary sense pleasure is available even in animal life.
- Tapasya, voluntary penance and abstinence from material pleasure, sanctifies one's existence. It enables spiritual happiness that is eternal and ever increasing.
- Those undisturbed by the senses can progress toward the paramahaṁsa stage, the highest perfection of renounced life. Ṛṣabha's final detachment from bodily needs is to be honored, not imitated.
Try this today
Voluntarily leave aside one unnecessary material pleasure today and spend a few minutes studying this teaching.
Ask yourself
Where are you seeking temporary pleasure instead of lasting spiritual happiness?
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.