Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.9.67
Mukti· LiberationMake Time for Spiritual Welfare
“After considering his advanced age and deliberating on the welfare of his spiritual self, King Uttānapāda detached himself from worldly affairs and entered the forest.”
What the purport teaches
- Considering his advanced age and spiritual welfare, King Uttānapāda left worldly affairs and entered the forest. Giving up his great wealth and position showed that he was a rājarṣi.
- Śrīla Prabhupāda describes austerity as the main business of human life. Dhruva Mahārāja practiced it in childhood, and his father practiced it in old age.
- Going to the forest is not practical today, but people of all ages can take shelter of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The purport recommends no illicit sex, intoxication, gambling or meat-eating, along with regularly chanting sixteen rounds of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, as a practical way to attain salvation.
Try this today
Set aside a few minutes of worldly activity today to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra.
Ask yourself
What worldly attachment could you loosen to give more attention to your spiritual welfare?
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.