Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.27.11
Ūti· What drives us to actTrue Religion Leads to Devotion, Not Killing
“The great sage Nārada continued: My dear King Prācīnabarhiṣat, like you King Purañjana also became implicated in so many desires. Thus he worshiped demigods, forefathers and social leaders with various sacrifices which were all very ghastly because they were inspired by the desire to kill animals.”
What the purport teaches
- Nārada described Purañjana’s life to instruct King Prācīnabarhiṣat and stop animal-killing in sacrifices. By saying “like you,” he began revealing the lesson’s direct application to the King.
- Material desires lead to many-branched activities, while those with spiritual knowledge are determined to execute Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Animal-killing in religion entangles people in birth and death and obscures the goal of returning to Godhead.
- Neither the Supreme Personality of Godhead nor His devotee sanctions animal-killing in the name of religion. The conclusion is direct devotional service and surrender to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Try this today
Choose a meal without meat today, remembering the teaching against animal-killing.
Ask yourself
Are my religious efforts helping me surrender to Kṛṣṇa, or mainly serving my material desires?
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.