Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.24.14
Mukti· LiberationAusterity Finds Its Goal in Devotion
“When all these Pracetās were ordered by their father to marry and beget children, they all entered the ocean and practiced austerities and penances for ten thousand years. Thus they worshiped the master of all austerity, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”
What the purport teaches
- The Pracetās entered the ocean and performed austerities for ten thousand years. They worshiped Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and master of austerity.
- The success of austerity is to attain the Supreme Lord’s favor. Without reaching devotional service, austerities and penances have no meaning.
- By Lord Caitanya’s grace, chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra brings the highest perfection previously attained through prolonged austerity. This chanting is a great concession for people in the Age of Kali.
Try this today
Chant attentively today: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.
Ask yourself
Is my spiritual effort aimed at pleasing Kṛṣṇa or merely enduring difficulty?
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.