Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.8.31
Āśraya· The supreme shelterServe Kṛṣṇa, the Lord Within the Heart
“I am such a fool that I have given up the service of that person who, being eternally situated within my heart, is actually most dear to me. That most dear one is the Lord of the universe, who is the bestower of real love and happiness and the source of all prosperity. Although He is in my own heart, I have completely neglected Him. Instead I have ignorantly served insignificant men who can never satisfy my real desires and who have simply brought me unhappiness, fear, anxiety, lamentation and illusion.”
What the purport teaches
- Piṅgalā realizes that she neglected Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord eternally present within her heart. He is her dearest one and the bestower of real love, happiness and prosperity.
- She had expected happiness from insignificant men who could not satisfy her real desires. Serving them instead brought unhappiness, fear, anxiety, lamentation and illusion.
- Lord Kṛṣṇa is the actual enjoyer of everyone and everything. Rather than remaining proud of pleasing others, one must learn to please Him through pure, loving spiritual service.
Try this today
Take a quiet moment today to address Kṛṣṇa within your heart and express your desire to please Him through loving service.
Ask yourself
How can I give more attention to pleasing Kṛṣṇa rather than seeking satisfaction from others?
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.