Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.21.31
Ūti· What drives us to actDo Not Trade Spiritual Wealth for Dreams
“Just as a foolish businessman gives up his real wealth in useless business speculation, foolish persons give up all that is actually valuable in life and instead pursue promotion to material heaven, which although pleasing to hear about is actually unreal, like a dream. Such bewildered persons imagine within their hearts that they will achieve all material blessings.”
What the purport teaches
- People work hard for perfect sense gratification in this life or the next. Yet material heavenly enjoyment is like a dream, however pleasing it sounds.
- As eternal living beings, we are part and parcel of Lord Kṛṣṇa. In His association, we are naturally endowed with bliss and knowledge.
- Pursuing bodily happiness at the expense of spiritual life is like squandering real wealth on imaginary business ventures. Such pursuits deliver no real profit.
Try this today
Set aside one minute usually spent imagining material success to reflect on the value of association with Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
What dream of material happiness is taking time away from my 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.