Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.25.56
Ūti· What drives us to actMaterial Intelligence Deepens Entanglement
“Being thus entangled in different types of mental concoction and engaged in fruitive activities, King Purañjana came completely under the control of material intelligence and was thus cheated. Indeed, he used to fulfill all the desires of his wife, the Queen.”
What the purport teaches
- Purañjana comes under the control of the Queen, who represents material intelligence. Bewildered, he acts according to her desires and is thus cheated.
- The purport describes the pressure to satisfy one’s wife for peace and social convenience. In the allegory, this illustrates increasing obedience to material intelligence.
- Within the heart, the mind keeps thinking, feeling and willing. Following its mental concoctions entangles the living entity in more and more activities.
Try this today
Before acting on one material desire today, pause and write down what further demands it may create.
Ask yourself
Which desire am I following without considering how it may deepen my entanglement?
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.