Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.23.6
Mukti· LiberationAusterity Is Meant to Lead to Devotion
“Following the principles of forest living and the footsteps of the great sages and munis, Pṛthu Mahārāja accepted five kinds of heating processes during the summer season, exposed himself to torrents of rain in the rainy season and, in the winter, stood in water up to his neck. He also used to simply lie down on the floor to sleep.”
What the purport teaches
- Pṛthu Mahārāja followed the forest austerities of great sages, enduring summer heat, torrents of rain and winter water. He also slept directly on the floor.
- The purport describes these as severe practices undertaken by jñānīs and yogīs who cannot accept bhakti-yoga. Their purpose is purification from material contamination.
- Such austerities are meant to lead one to become a devotee of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Devotion, rather than hardship itself, is the goal.
Try this today
Before your devotional practice today, pause and remind yourself: “My goal is to become a devotee of Kṛṣṇa.”
Ask yourself
When I accept a difficulty in spiritual life, do I remember that the goal is devotion to Kṛṣṇa?
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.