Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.27.18
Ūti· What drives us to actSense Gratification Hides the Approach of Death
“King Purañjana collected taxes in the city known as Pañcāla and thus was able to engage in sexual indulgence. Being completely under the control of women, he could not understand that his life was passing away and that he was reaching the point of death.”
What the purport teaches
- Purañjana used collected taxes for sexual indulgence. Absorbed in enjoyment, he failed to recognize that his life was passing and death was approaching.
- The purport warns against government officials using citizens' taxes for their own sense gratification. Such irresponsible enjoyment makes them forget that death will take it away.
- Cārvāka taught that everything ends when the body is burned to ashes. The purport rejects this view: denying the next life does not save one from death or its consequences.
Try this today
Review one use of money entrusted to you and check that it serves its proper purpose rather than your personal enjoyment.
Ask yourself
Does my pursuit of enjoyment make me overlook responsibility and the consequences of my actions?
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.