Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.10.31
Ūti· What drives us to actFrom False Doership to Loving Service
“The material senses create material activities, either pious or sinful, and the modes of nature set the material senses into motion. The living entity, being fully engaged by the material senses and modes of nature, experiences the various results of fruitive work.”
What the purport teaches
- The modes of nature—goodness, passion and ignorance—set the material senses into motion. The living entity experiences the good and bad results but falsely considers himself the performer.
- This does not deny free will: the living entity chooses to associate with different modes through eating, speaking, occupation and other activities. These choices shape one’s mentality.
- By giving up false ego and taking to devotional service, one escapes the disturbing influence of māyā. The best result is to regain one’s natural position as the Lord’s loving servant.
Try this today
Before one act of devotional service today, pause and form the intention to serve the Lord rather than gain a personal reward.
Ask yourself
How could my desire for results become a desire to serve the Lord?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.