Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.29.18
Mukti· LiberationHear, Chant, and Live Simply
“A devotee should always try to hear about spiritual matters and should always utilize his time in chanting the holy name of the Lord. His behavior should always be straightforward and simple, and although he is not envious but friendly to everyone, he should avoid the company of persons who are not spiritually advanced.”
What the purport teaches
- Hear spiritual knowledge from authentic sources, taking instructions from the ācārya and assimilating them. Follow regulations for actual spiritual advancement, not merely as a routine.
- Chant the holy names of the Lord, individually or with others. Lord Caitanya especially stressed this chanting as the basic principle of spiritual advancement.
- Be straightforward, tolerant, meek, and humble, without schemes for personal self-interest or demands for respect. Remain friendly to everyone while avoiding close company with those who are not advancing spiritually.
Try this today
Set aside a few minutes today to chant: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.
Ask yourself
Am I following spiritual practices to advance, or simply out of habit?
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.