Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.25.62
Ūti· What drives us to actDevotional Service Reveals Knowledge and Renunciation
“In this way, King Purañjana was captivated by his nice wife and was thus cheated. Indeed, he became cheated in his whole existence in the material world. Even against that poor foolish King’s desire, he remained under the control of his wife, just like a pet animal that dances according to the order of its master.”
What the purport teaches
- Seeking to satisfy his desires, Purañjana became controlled by material intelligence like a pet animal by its master. He followed even when he did not wish to do so.
- Association with a saintly devotee makes the path of liberation clear, whereas attachment to sexual enjoyment strengthens bondage. The purport recommends avoiding illicit sex and regulating sexual life as preparation for renunciation.
- Knowledge is valuable because it can lead to devotional service to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By taking directly to devotional service, actual knowledge and renunciation arise without separate endeavor, making life successful.
Try this today
Arrange a brief conversation with a devotee today about making devotional service central to your life.
Ask yourself
How can I give devotional service priority over desires that keep me under material control?
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.