Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.3.44
Mukti· LiberationLook Beyond Rewards to the Lord
“Childish and foolish people are attached to materialistic, fruitive activities, although the actual goal of life is to become free from such activities. Therefore, the Vedic injunctions indirectly lead one to the path of ultimate liberation by first prescribing fruitive religious activities, just as a father promises his child candy so that the child will take his medicine.”
What the purport teaches
- The Vedas offer material rewards to guide those attached to sense gratification toward freedom from material activities. This resembles a father offering candy so that his child will take medicine.
- Viṣṇu is worshiped in Vedic rituals, gradually leading one to understand that surrender to Him is one's actual self-interest. The ultimate aim of Vedic knowledge is shelter at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- In Kali-yuga, the brief and troubled conditions of life hinder gradual progress through rituals. Chanting Kṛṣṇa's holy names frees one from material association and leads one back home, back to Godhead.
Try this today
Set aside a few minutes today to chant Kṛṣṇa's holy names, seeking His shelter rather than a material reward.
Ask yourself
Am I more interested in material rewards, or in taking shelter of the Lord?
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.