Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.25.57-61
Ūti· What drives us to actPurify Intelligence Through Service to Kṛṣṇa
“When the Queen drank liquor, King Purañjana also engaged in drinking. When the Queen dined, he used to dine with her, and when she chewed, King Purañjana used to chew along with her. When the Queen sang, he also sang. Similarly, when the Queen cried, he also cried, and when the Queen laughed, he also laughed. When the Queen talked loosely, he also talked loosely, and when the Queen walked, the King walked behind her. When the Queen would stand still, the King would also stand still, and when the Queen would lie down in bed, he would also follow and lie down with her. When the Queen sat, he would also sit, and when the Queen heard something, he would follow her to hear the same thing. When the Queen saw something, the King would also look at it, and when the Queen smelled something, the King would follow her to smell the same thing. When the Queen touched something, the King would also touch it, and when the dear Queen was lamenting, the poor King also had to follow her in lamentation. In the same way, when the Queen felt enjoyment, he also enjoyed, and when the Queen was satisfied, the King also felt satisfaction.”
What the purport teaches
- Purañjana follows the Queen in her actions, enjoyment and lamentation. This depicts the soul following material intelligence under the control of the mind.
- Material intelligence causes bondage, so one must take to spiritual intelligence. Mahārāja Ambarīṣa purified his intelligence by first engaging his mind at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa.
- Mahārāja Ambarīṣa also engaged his senses in the Lord’s service. He heard and spoke about Kṛṣṇa, saw the Deity, cleaned the temple and tasted prasāda.
Try this today
Spend five minutes hearing about Kṛṣṇa, giving the hearing your full attention.
Ask yourself
Which of my senses could I consciously engage in Kṛṣṇa’s service today?
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.