Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.4.11
Mukti· LiberationWhy Give Up a Prosperous Kingdom?
“He was such a great emperor that all his enemies would come and bow down at his feet and surrender all their wealth for their own benefit. He was full of youth and strength, and he possessed kingly opulences that were difficult to give up. Why did he want to give up everything, including his life?”
What the purport teaches
- Mahārāja Parīkṣit was young, strong and powerful. Even his enemies bowed at his feet and surrendered their wealth for their own benefit.
- He was a pious king, and his kingdom was full of prosperity. There was enough milk, grains and metals, so materially everything was satisfactory.
- There was no apparent reason for him to give up his kingdom and life so early. The sages were eager to understand why he did so.
Try this today
Write down the sages' central question in your own words, leaving it open as you continue studying.
Ask yourself
Am I willing to ask sincere questions when someone's decision seems difficult to understand?
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.