Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.9.29
Ūti· What drives us to actSeek Loving Service, Not Material Rewards
“Maitreya answered: Dhruva Mahārāja’s heart, which was pierced by the arrows of the harsh words of his stepmother, was greatly aggrieved, and thus when he fixed upon his goal of life he did not forget her misbehavior. He did not demand actual liberation from this material world, but at the end of his devotional service, when the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared before him, he was simply ashamed of the material demands he had in his mind.”
What the purport teaches
- Hurt by his stepmother's harsh words, Dhruva Mahārāja had pursued material demands with a revengeful attitude. When the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared, he felt ashamed of those demands.
- A pure devotee makes no demand from the Lord and seeks only to serve Him sincerely and seriously. Real liberation means leaving the service of māyā for the loving service of the Lord.
- Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is affectionate and kind toward His devotees. Although Dhruva Mahārāja's motive was impure, the Lord valued his devotional service and fulfilled his desire.
Try this today
Offer a brief prayer today asking for sincere service rather than victory over someone else.
Ask yourself
Is a hurt or rivalry shaping what I ask from the Lord?
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.