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Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 2.8.3

Mukti· Liberation

Associate With Kṛṣṇa Through Hearing

“O greatly fortunate Śukadeva Gosvāmī, please continue narrating Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam so that I can place my mind upon the Supreme Soul, Lord Kṛṣṇa, and, being completely freed from material qualities, thus relinquish this body.”

Śrīla Prabhupāda · Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.8.3, translation

What the purport teaches

  • Full engagement in hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam means constant association with Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His association removes material contamination as sunlight removes darkness.
  • Mahārāja Parīkṣit wanted to place his mind upon Kṛṣṇa and leave his body remembering Him. He chose continued hearing as his means of remaining in the Lord’s association.
  • One should hear from a self-realized soul, not seek material benefits through professional recitations. Such hearing should continue throughout one’s life.

Try this today

Before today’s hearing, take a moment to set your intention: to associate with and remember Kṛṣṇa.

Ask yourself

Am I hearing to remember Kṛṣṇa, or mainly to obtain some material benefit?

Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.

The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.

One of the 108 chosen lessons, close to this verseHear Regularly With Serious DevotionSB 2.8.4Next · LeadTeach what you are livingTurn this chapter into a timed class plan or a short reel script.Open Lecture Studio