Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.29.13
Ūti· What drives us to actHearing Opens Different Spiritual Destinations
“Nārada Muni continued: The city spoken of as Dakṣiṇa-pañcāla represents the scriptures meant for directing pravṛtti, the process of sense enjoyment in fruitive activities. The other city, named Uttara-pañcāla, represents the scriptures meant for decreasing fruitive activities and increasing knowledge. The living entity receives different kinds of knowledge by means of two ears, and some living entities are promoted to Pitṛloka and some to Devaloka. All this is made possible by the two ears.”
What the purport teaches
- Dakṣiṇa-pañcāla represents scriptures directing sense enjoyment through fruitive activities. Uttara-pañcāla represents scriptures for decreasing fruitive activities and increasing knowledge.
- The Vedas are known as śruti. Knowledge received from them through hearing is called śruta-dhara.
- Through hearing, one can be promoted to the planets of the demigods or forefathers, or even to the Vaikuṇṭha planets. The knowledge received through the ears can therefore shape one’s destination.
Try this today
Listen attentively as this translation is read aloud, noting the difference between increasing enjoyment and decreasing fruitive activity.
Ask yourself
What kind of knowledge am I choosing to receive through hearing?
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.