Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.12.18
Mukti· LiberationDevotional Service Opens the Path of Liberation
“Because of his transcendental bliss, incessant tears flowed from his eyes, his heart melted, and there was shivering and standing of the hairs all over his body. Thus transformed, in a trance of devotional service, Dhruva Mahārāja completely forgot his bodily existence, and thus he immediately became liberated from material bondage.”
What the purport teaches
- By constant devotional service, Dhruva Mahārāja became fully absorbed in transcendental bliss and forgot his bodily existence. The path of liberation opens from the beginning of devotional service.
- Full absorption in devotional service frees one from both the gross body and the subtle covering of mind, intelligence and ego. Like dried coconut pulp separated from its shell, the devotee becomes free from these material coverings.
- The bodily transformations described here appear in advanced pure devotees and should not be imitated. Freedom from the subtle body makes one fully prepared to enter the spiritual world.
Try this today
Set aside five uninterrupted minutes today for hearing or chanting the Lord’s glories.
Ask yourself
How can I give more steady attention to devotional service rather than seek outward signs of advancement?
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.