Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.13.9-10
Ūti· What drives us to actFalse Identification Fuels Restless Desire
“The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Uddhava, a person bereft of intelligence first falsely identifies himself with the material body and mind, and when such false knowledge arises within one’s consciousness, material passion, the cause of great suffering, pervades the mind, which by nature is situated in goodness. Then the mind, contaminated by passion, becomes absorbed in making and changing many plans for material advancement. Thus, by constantly thinking of the modes of material nature, a foolish person is afflicted with unbearable material desires.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, explains that false identification with body and mind allows passion to pervade the mind. This passion brings great suffering.
- The passionate mind continually makes and changes plans for material enjoyment. Constant thought about material things produces unbearable desires, even when one admits that material life is full of suffering.
- The mind’s natural, peaceful situation is pure love of Kṛṣṇa, free from disturbance, disappointment and confusion. Passion and ignorance drag it down to a condition in which it is never satisfied.
Try this today
When one recurring plan for material enjoyment arises today, pause and turn your attention toward loving remembrance of Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
Which repeated plans for enjoyment are disturbing my mind’s peace?
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.