Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.25.3
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesCompassion Guides Us Beyond Fruitive Activities
“While the princes were undergoing severe austerities in the water, their father was performing different types of fruitive activities. At this time the great saint Nārada, master and teacher of all spiritual life, became very compassionate upon the King and decided to instruct him about spiritual life.”
What the purport teaches
- While the princes performed austerities, their father remained attached to fruitive activities. Nārada compassionately decided to instruct him in spiritual life.
- The karmīs seek heavenly enjoyment, while the jñānīs seek merging into the Brahman effulgence. A devotee does not give importance to either goal.
- Sacrifices for heavenly elevation are superior to ordinary material work. Yet in pure devotional service, both karma and jñāna are considered bewildering features of the illusory energy.
Try this today
Before one devotional activity today, pause and make service—not personal reward—your intention.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking spiritual instruction for personal rewards or for pure devotional service?
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.