Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.2.51
Mukti· LiberationHumble Service, Not Pride, Pleases Kṛṣṇa
“Birth in an aristocratic family and the execution of austere and pious activities certainly cause one to take pride in himself. Similarly, if one enjoys a prestigious position within society because his parents are highly respected members of the varṇāśrama social system, one becomes even more infatuated with himself. But if despite these excellent material qualifications one does not feel even a tinge of pride within himself, he is to be considered the dearmost servitor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
What the purport teaches
- Pride in prestigious birth or pious activities keeps one in the bodily concept of life. One who remains free from such pride is very dear to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- A devotee may carry out the duties of varṇāśrama, but these social and spiritual positions are not his deepest identity. He understands himself as the eternal servant of the servant of Kṛṣṇa.
- Bhakti-yoga is complete in itself, and the Lord is pleased only by unalloyed devotion. Rather than boasting of qualifications, a devotee becomes absorbed in hearing and chanting the Lord’s glories.
Try this today
Before chanting today, pause and remember: “I am a humble servant of Kṛṣṇa.”
Ask yourself
Which qualification am I tempted to take pride in rather than use humbly in Kṛṣṇa’s service?
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.