Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.1.37
Mukti· LiberationMaterial Achievement Cannot End Spiritual Entanglement
“The King thus began criticizing himself: Alas, how condemned I have become because of my sense gratification! I have now fallen into material enjoyment, which is exactly like a covered well. I have had enough! I am not going to enjoy any more. Just see how I have become like a dancing monkey in the hands of my wife. Because of this, I am condemned.”
What the purport teaches
- Although Priyavrata accomplished extraordinary material feats, he condemned his absorption in sense gratification. He compared material enjoyment to a covered well.
- Material advancement does not solve the problems of the living entity entangled in this world. Power, possessions and popularity can instead deepen that entanglement.
- Priyavrata’s sincere service to Nārada helped him revive his Kṛṣṇa consciousness despite impediments. By the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, renunciation becomes possible, and even a little devotional service protects one from great danger.
Try this today
Set aside one optional activity meant only for sense enjoyment today, and use that time for devotional service.
Ask yourself
Am I measuring progress mainly by material achievements or by my devotion to Kṛṣṇa?
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.