Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.25.29
Ūti· What drives us to actLive as the Supreme Lord’s Subordinate
“O greatly fortunate one, it appears that you are none of the women I have mentioned because I see that your feet are touching the ground. But if you are some woman of this planet, you can, like the goddess of fortune — who, accompanied by Lord Viṣṇu, increases the beauty of the Vaikuṇṭha planets — also increase the beauty of this city by associating with me. You should understand that I am a great hero and a very powerful king on this planet.”
What the purport teaches
- Devotees understand that the goddess of fortune is the constant companion of Viṣṇu, or Nārāyaṇa, and cannot be enjoyed by a living entity. This understanding is called Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- Enjoying the material world as a subordinate of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is godly. Wanting enjoyment without considering Him is the demoniac mentality.
- Purañjana presents himself as powerful and influential to attract the girl. The purport explains that both men and women can seek to be enjoyers, and this material desire belongs to māyā.
Try this today
Before one enjoyable activity today, pause and consider whether your choice respects your position as the Lord’s subordinate.
Ask yourself
Do my plans for happiness acknowledge my position as a subordinate of the Supreme Personality of Godhead?
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.