Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.28.44
Mukti· LiberationSimplicity Supports Steady Spiritual Service
“The daughter of King Vidarbha wore old garments, and she was lean and thin because of her vows of austerity. Since she did not arrange her hair, it became entangled and twisted in locks. Although she remained always near her husband, she was as silent and unagitated as the flame of an undisturbed fire.”
What the purport teaches
- The queen remained peaceful beside her husband, like an undisturbed flame. The purport compares steady austerity to a fire that burns calmly after its initial smoke and agitation.
- In the vānaprastha stage described here, husband and wife give up luxury and sexual relations. Their austerity supports advancement in spiritual consciousness.
- Steadiness in serving the spiritual master protects the disciple from falling into the clutches of māyā. The aim is freedom from bodily consciousness.
Try this today
Forgo one unnecessary luxury today and keep your attention on your spiritual service.
Ask yourself
Which desire for luxury distracts me from steady spiritual service?
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.