Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.5.12 · one of the 108 chosen verses
Mukti· LiberationMake Knowledge and Work Serve the Lord
“Knowledge of self-realization, even though free from all material affinity, does not look well if devoid of a conception of the Infallible [God]. What, then, is the use of fruitive activities, which are naturally painful from the very beginning and transient by nature, if they are not utilized for the devotional service of the Lord?”
What the purport teaches
- Even knowledge of self-realization is incomplete without a conception of the infallible Lord. Speculative knowledge without devotional service cannot lead to perfection.
- Work done for material results is painful either at the beginning or at the end. It becomes fruitful when made subordinate to devotional service.
- The Personality of Godhead is the rightful enjoyer of the results of work. Offering those results for His service frees work from its purpose of personal sense gratification, which brings bondage and trouble.
Try this today
Set aside a small part of today’s earnings or available time for the service of the Lord.
Ask yourself
How could the results of my work serve the Lord rather than only my own 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.