Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.24.34
Mukti· LiberationTrue Renunciation Means Remembering Kṛṣṇa
“Today I have something to ask from You, who are the Lord of all living entities. Since I have now been liberated by You from my debts to my father, and since all my desires are fulfilled, I wish to accept the order of an itinerant mendicant. Renouncing this family life, I wish to wander about, free from lamentation, thinking always of You in my heart.”
What the purport teaches
- Sannyāsa, or renunciation of material household life, requires complete absorption in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It is not a means to acquire possessions, amass money or create another family.
- Some devotees live among followers to organize preaching of the Lord’s glories, while others remain alone with God. Kardama Muni wished to be free from anxieties and remain with the Supreme Personality of Godhead within his heart.
- A wandering mendicant’s duty is to move from door to door and enlighten people about Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The heart of renunciation is remembering and serving the Lord, not merely leaving home.
Try this today
Set aside two quiet minutes today to think of Kṛṣṇa rather than plans for acquiring more things.
Ask yourself
Am I giving more attention to possessions or to remembering Kṛṣṇa?
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.