Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.3.18
Ūti· What drives us to actNotice the Limits of Material Endeavor
“Śrī Prabuddha said: Accepting the roles of male and female in human society, the conditioned souls unite in sexual relationships. Thus they constantly make material endeavors to eliminate their unhappiness and unlimitedly increase their pleasure. But one should see that they inevitably achieve exactly the opposite result. In other words, their happiness inevitably vanishes, and as they grow older their material discomfort increases.”
What the purport teaches
- Conditioned souls accept bodily roles as male and female and unite in sexual relationships. They continually work to remove unhappiness and increase pleasure.
- One should observe that these efforts bring the opposite result: material happiness vanishes, while discomfort increases with age.
- The bodily concept of life is the illusory basis of sexual attraction. Without the mercy of a pure devotee, freedom from this mistaken identification is exceedingly difficult.
Try this today
Write down one example of material pleasure that faded despite your efforts to preserve it.
Ask yourself
Where have I seen efforts for lasting material pleasure bring fresh discomfort instead?
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.