Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.29.54
Ūti· What drives us to actRemember Your Position as Kṛṣṇa’s Eternal Servant
“My dear King, woman, who is very attractive in the beginning but in the end very disturbing, is exactly like the flower, which is attractive in the beginning and detestable at the end. With woman, the living entity is entangled with lusty desires, and he enjoys sex, just as one enjoys the aroma of a flower. He thus enjoys a life of sense gratification — from his tongue to his genitals — and in this way the living entity considers himself very happy in family life. United with his wife, he always remains absorbed in such thoughts. He feels great pleasure in hearing the talks of his wife and children, which are like the sweet humming of bumblebees that collect honey from flower to flower. He forgets that before him is time, which is taking away his life span with the passing of day and night. He does not see the gradual diminishing of his life, nor does he care about the superintendent of death, who is trying to kill him from behind. Just try to understand this. You are in a precarious position and are threatened from all sides.”
What the purport teaches
- Materialistic life means forgetting our constitutional position as eternal servants of Kṛṣṇa. Attachment to household sense gratification can deepen this forgetfulness.
- Absorbed in food, sexual enjoyment and family conversation, a person may overlook the passing of day and night. Life steadily diminishes, yet preparation for death and returning home, back to Godhead, is neglected.
- Intelligence means understanding our position in family and worldly life rather than remaining trapped in sense gratification. The purport urges withdrawal from household attachment while one is still strong enough, taking shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet.
Try this today
Pause before one comfort-seeking activity today, remember that you are Kṛṣṇa’s eternal servant, and use a few minutes for His service instead.
Ask yourself
Where is attachment to comfort making me forget my position as Kṛṣṇa’s eternal servant?
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.