Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.19.32
Mukti· LiberationDevotion Is Beyond Ritual Achievement
“Let there be only ninety-nine sacrificial performances for Mahārāja Pṛthu,” Lord Brahmā concluded. Lord Brahmā then turned towards Mahārāja Pṛthu and informed him that since he was thoroughly aware of the path of liberation, what was the use in performing more sacrifices?
What the purport teaches
- Lord Brahmā asked Mahārāja Pṛthu to stop at ninety-nine sacrifices. As a great devotee who knew the path of liberation, he did not need further ritualistic ceremonies.
- Indra’s envy led him to invent irreligious systems to obstruct Pṛthu. Lord Brahmā appeared to stop these inventions and settle the competition.
- As an ideal king, Pṛthu had a duty to perform sacrifices. Through Lord Brahmā’s blessings, his determination was indirectly fulfilled without completing the hundredth sacrifice.
Try this today
Examine one devotional activity today and remind yourself that its purpose is service, not outdoing someone else.
Ask yourself
Am I becoming more concerned with completing a religious achievement than with devotion?
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.