Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.23.7
Mukti· LiberationPlease Kṛṣṇa Through His Holy Name
“Mahārāja Pṛthu underwent all these severe austerities in order to control his words and his senses, to refrain from discharging his semen and to control the life air within his body. All this he did for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa. He had no other purpose.”
What the purport teaches
- Mahārāja Pṛthu controlled his speech, senses and life air solely for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa. He had no other purpose in performing austerities.
- For Kali-yuga, the purport recommends chanting the Lord’s holy name and engaging constantly in His service. Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, kindly appears in the transcendental vibration of His name.
- If Kṛṣṇa is worshiped, severe austerities are unnecessary; without reaching Him, austerity is wasted labor. We need not be discouraged by our inability to practice forest austerities, but should follow the spiritual master and the Vaiṣṇavas.
Try this today
Chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra for five attentive minutes today with the intention of pleasing Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
How can I make pleasing Kṛṣṇa, rather than displaying discipline, the purpose of my practice?
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.