Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.28.29
Mukti· LiberationSpiritual Progress Survives, Yet Strive Now
“Sometimes the progress of imperfect transcendentalists is checked by attachment to family members, disciples or others, who are sent by envious demigods for that purpose. But on the strength of their accumulated advancement, such imperfect transcendentalists will resume their practice of yoga in the next life. They will never again be trapped in the network of fruitive work.”
What the purport teaches
- Attachment to bodily relatives or flattering followers can check spiritual progress. The purport describes demigods sending such obstacles to expose incomplete spiritual knowledge.
- An imperfect transcendentalist who falls from practice resumes yoga in the next life through accumulated advancement. There is no need to begin again through the lower stages of fruitive work.
- This protection is not a reason to become careless. One should remove lust and strive for perfection in Kṛṣṇa consciousness in this lifetime.
Try this today
Complete one planned period of spiritual practice today without postponing it for praise or attention from others.
Ask yourself
Does praise or personal attachment distract me from sincere spiritual practice?
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.