Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.28.65
Mukti· LiberationHear Stories for Their Spiritual Purpose
“My dear King Prācīnabarhi, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes, is celebrated to be known indirectly. Thus I have described the story of Purañjana to you. Actually it is an instruction for self-realization.”
What the purport teaches
- The story of Purañjana is an indirect instruction for self-realization. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the cause of all causes, is celebrated as being known indirectly.
- Stories in the Purāṇas interest ordinary people in transcendental subjects and refer to real facts; some describe historical events. We should seek their real teaching rather than treat them as stories without a spiritual purpose.
- The path of bhakti-yoga is hearing directly about the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Indirect stories can help those not yet interested in such hearing, while service to a bona fide spiritual master helps them progress toward devotional service.
Try this today
Spend five quiet minutes rereading this verse and its opening purport, then write one sentence about the spiritual purpose of Purañjana’s story.
Ask yourself
Am I looking for the teaching that leads to devotional service, or only following the events of the story?
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.