Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.18.10
Ūti· What drives us to actSeek Love of Godhead, Not Pleasure
“One who with long endeavor executes this painful but exalted penance, which awards ultimate liberation, simply to achieve insignificant sense gratification must be considered the greatest fool.”
What the purport teaches
- The penances described are painful and require long endeavor, yet they are exalted because they award ultimate liberation.
- Performing such penance merely for insignificant sense gratification is the greatest foolishness. Even deliberately seeking promotion to Maharloka misses the purpose.
- Lord Kṛṣṇa does not want this process exploited for material gain. Its ultimate goal is love of Godhead.
Try this today
Before your spiritual practice today, pause and renew your intention to seek love of Godhead rather than material pleasure.
Ask yourself
Do I approach spiritual practice for material rewards or for love of Godhead?
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.