Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.14.8
Ūti· What drives us to actReceiving Knowledge Without Distorting Its Conclusion
“Thus, due to the great variety of desires and natures among human beings, there are many different theistic philosophies of life, which are handed down through tradition, custom and disciplic succession. There are other teachers who directly support atheistic viewpoints.”
What the purport teaches
- Different human desires and natures produce many philosophies, passed down through tradition, custom and disciplic succession. Some teachers directly support atheistic views.
- Those ignorant of the Vedic conclusion may invent unauthorized and ultimately fruitless philosophies. Others directly oppose that conclusion.
- Poisonous trees can draw pure Ganges water through their roots and produce poisonous fruit. Similarly, people can misuse association with Vedic knowledge to produce atheistic or materialistic philosophy.
Try this today
Choose one spiritual claim you have heard and check whether it faithfully represents the text it claims to explain.
Ask yourself
Am I trying to receive the Vedic conclusion, or reshape it to suit my preferences?
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.