Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.12.13
Ūti· What drives us to actContinue Devotion Through Happiness and Distress
“Dhruva Mahārāja ruled over this planet for thirty-six thousand years; he diminished the reactions of pious activities by enjoyment, and by practicing austerities he diminished inauspicious reactions.”
What the purport teaches
- Dhruva Mahārāja ruled for thirty-six thousand years. Through enjoyment he diminished the results of pious activities, and through austerities he diminished inauspicious reactions.
- A devotee sees prosperity and distress as the diminishing of past reactions. Rather than pursuing enjoyment or being disturbed by distress, the devotee desires to execute devotional service.
- Devotional service should remain unchecked by material happiness or distress. Austerities and restraint from sinful activities purify the devotee from past impious reactions.
Try this today
Choose one small act of devotional service and complete it today, whether your circumstances feel pleasant or difficult.
Ask yourself
Do I allow comfort or difficulty to interrupt my devotional service?
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.