Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.26.57
Sarga· CreationRestraint Rather Than Addiction to Enjoyment
“After this, semen (the faculty of procreation) and the god who presides over the waters appeared. Next appeared an anus and then the organs of defecation and thereupon the god of death, who is feared throughout the universe.”
What the purport teaches
- The faculty of procreation appeared along with the god presiding over the waters. The organs of defecation appeared, followed by the god of death, who is feared throughout the universe.
- Śrīla Prabhupāda describes restraint from discharging semen as a practice of yogīs and transcendentalists who seek a longer life.
- The purport connects addiction to sexual enjoyment with susceptibility to early death. Its emphasis is on voluntary restraint rather than increasing attachment to enjoyment.
Try this today
Today, step away from one source of stimulation that encourages attachment to sexual enjoyment.
Ask yourself
Where could I practice voluntary restraint rather than strengthen an attachment to enjoyment?
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.