Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.8.64
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRecognize the Limits of Material Goals
“The great sage Nārada inquired: My dear King, your face appears to be withering up, and you look like you have been thinking of something for a very long time. Why is that? Have you been hampered in following your path of religious rites, economic development and sense gratification?”
What the purport teaches
- Nārada noticed the King’s withered appearance and prolonged worry. He asked whether religious rites, economic development or sense gratification had been obstructed.
- The purport describes state management as serving these three aims. Nārada did not ask the King about liberation because those absorbed in these activities are not interested in it.
- Liberation is meant for those who have lost interest in ritualistic ceremonies, economic development and sense gratification.
Try this today
Write down one current worry and consider whether it concerns economic development or sense gratification.
Ask yourself
How much of my worry revolves around prosperity and enjoyment?
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.