Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.5.42
Mukti· LiberationDevotional Hearing Brings Knowledge and Detachment
“Simply by hearing about Your lotus feet with eagerness and devotion and by meditating upon them within the heart, one at once becomes enlightened with knowledge, and on the strength of detachment one becomes pacified. We must therefore take shelter of the sanctuary of Your lotus feet.”
What the purport teaches
- Even a materially disturbed person can gain knowledge and detachment by eagerly hearing about the Lord’s transcendental name, fame and qualities.
- True knowledge must be accompanied by detachment from material enjoyment. Devotional service quickly manifests both and makes one dhīra—steady even when there is cause for disturbance.
- Devotional service entails initiation by a bona fide spiritual master and following his instructions about hearing. Regular hearing from a bona fide devotee brings the highest result.
Try this today
Spend five minutes hearing a bona fide devotee speak about the Lord, giving the message your full attention.
Ask yourself
Is my hearing about the Lord helping me become less attached and more steady?
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.