Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.29.5
Ūti· What drives us to actReal Intelligence Recognizes Everything Belongs to Kṛṣṇa
“The great sage Nārada continued: The word pramadā mentioned in this regard refers to material intelligence, or ignorance. It is to be understood as such. When one takes shelter of this kind of intelligence, he identifies himself with the material body. Influenced by the material consciousness of “I” and “mine,” he begins to enjoy and suffer through his senses. Thus the living entity is entrapped.”
What the purport teaches
- Material intelligence leads the living entity to identify with the body and think in terms of “I” and “mine.” This false claim of ownership is ignorance.
- When intelligence is aligned with Kṛṣṇa’s desires, it is called buddhi-yoga or bhakti-yoga. Kṛṣṇa gives His loving devotees the understanding by which they can return to Him.
- Even the body and senses are given by the Lord’s grace. Real intelligence acts when one understands that everything belongs to Kṛṣṇa.
Try this today
Choose one possession today, acknowledge that it belongs to Kṛṣṇa, and consider how to use it in His service.
Ask yourself
What do I strongly call “mine,” and how would recognizing Kṛṣṇa’s ownership change my attitude?
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.