Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.29.47
Mukti· LiberationDo Not Mistake Temporary Benefits for Life’s Goal
“My dear King Barhiṣmān, you should never out of ignorance take to the Vedic rituals or to fruitive activity, which may be pleasing to hear about or which may appear to be the goal of self-interest. You should never take these to be the ultimate goal of life.”
What the purport teaches
- Vedic rituals may promise heavenly enjoyment, good birth and power. Nārada urges the King not to become attached to these temporary benefits.
- Temporary comforts on this planet or other planets do not touch the real purpose of life. Material advancement can sound pleasing while making us forget that purpose.
- The actual aim of human life is God realization, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Our real purpose is to return home, back to Godhead.
Try this today
Write down one temporary goal and, beside it, the reminder: “My real purpose is Kṛṣṇa consciousness and returning home, back to Godhead.”
Ask yourself
Which temporary benefit am I treating as though it were my ultimate goal?
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.