Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.2.36
Mukti· LiberationOffer Your Daily Work to the Lord
“In accordance with the particular nature one has acquired in conditioned life, whatever one does with body, words, mind, senses, intelligence or purified consciousness one should offer to the Supreme, thinking, “This is for the pleasure of Lord Nārāyaṇa.””
What the purport teaches
- Whatever one does with body, words, mind, senses, intelligence or purified consciousness should be offered for Lord Nārāyaṇa’s pleasure. Service is not limited to religious ceremonies; ordinary duties should also be dedicated to Him.
- Offering the fruits of one’s duties to the Supreme Lord gradually transforms mixed devotion into pure devotional service. One learns to give up the claim that one’s hard-earned rewards are meant only for personal enjoyment.
- Work performed according to one’s nature and the Lord’s directions can become devotional service. Sinful or wicked activities, however, can never be accepted as offerings to Him.
Try this today
Before one ordinary duty today, pause and think, “This is for the pleasure of Lord Nārāyaṇa,” and consciously dedicate its result to Him.
Ask yourself
Which ordinary duty do I tend to regard as separate from service to the Supreme 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.