Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.2.8
Ūti· What drives us to actLearn to Love Kṛṣṇa and Return Home
“In a previous birth on this earth, I worshiped the Supreme Lord, Ananta, who alone can award liberation, but because I desired to have a child, I did not worship Him for liberation. Thus I was bewildered by the Lord’s illusory energy.”
What the purport teaches
- The Supreme Lord alone can free the conditioned soul from birth and death and award eternal life of bliss and knowledge. Vasudeva lamented that he had desired Kṛṣṇa as his son rather than seeking to return to Him.
- Vasudeva and Devakī are eternally loving, pure devotees, not seekers of ordinary material rewards. The Lord’s internal potency led them to desire Kṛṣṇa Himself as their son, preparing for His appearance.
- Rather than trying to bring the Lord here for a material purpose, we should learn to love Him and engage in His service. Chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra gradually develops our eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Try this today
Chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra today with the intention of developing love for Kṛṣṇa and serving Him.
Ask yourself
Do my prayers seek a material result, or a deeper loving relationship with Kṛṣṇa?
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.