Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.29.9
Ūti· What drives us to actPure Devotion Shares the Lord's Interest
“The worship of Deities in the temple by a separatist, with a motive for material enjoyment, fame and opulence, is devotion in the mode of passion.”
What the purport teaches
- Temple worship motivated by material enjoyment, fame or opulence is devotion in the mode of passion. A separatist sees personal interests as separate from the Supreme Lord's interests.
- Mixed devotees expect the Lord to supply their demands for sense gratification. A pure devotee wishes only to carry out the Supreme Lord's desire.
- Oneness means oneness of interest, not that the living entity is the Supreme Lord. Even a trace of separate personal interest makes devotion mixed with material qualities.
Try this today
Before worship or service today, set aside one wish for enjoyment, recognition or wealth and focus on satisfying the Lord.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking to carry out the Lord's desire, or expecting Him to carry out mine?
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.