Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.19.23
Ūti· What drives us to actFollow Genuine Spiritual Succession
“Whatever different forms Indra assumed as a mendicant because of his desire to seize the horse were symbols of atheistic philosophy.”
What the purport teaches
- Indra’s mendicant disguises, adopted to steal the horse, became symbols of atheistic philosophy. The purport traces this false sannyāsa to his jealousy of Mahārāja Pṛthu.
- Sannyāsa should be accepted according to the paramparā system of the ācāryas. A religious title without understanding God consciousness is not enough.
- The purport warns against inventing religious systems out of malice. It also teaches that even Brahmā and Śiva cannot be placed on an equal level with Nārāyaṇa.
Try this today
Review one spiritual teaching you follow and check whether it comes through the paramparā of the ācāryas.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking genuine God consciousness through an authorized spiritual tradition?
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.