Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.11.2
Ūti· What drives us to actThe Vedas Lead to Devotional Service
“My dear King, talks of the relationship between the master and the servant, the king and the subject and so forth are simply talks about material activities. People interested in material activities which are expounded in the Vedas are intent on performing material sacrifices and placing faith in their material activities. For such people, spiritual advancement is definitely not manifest.”
What the purport teaches
- Attachment to Vedic sacrifices for material rewards does not bring spiritual perfection. Heavenly life and worldly advantages end when the stock of pious activity is exhausted.
- The objective of the Vedas is to understand Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Following their injunctions without understanding this purpose leaves one materially contaminated.
- Even understanding the Absolute Truth is incomplete without worship of Bhagavān. Through bhakti-yoga, devotional service, one attains the perfection of life.
Try this today
Before your spiritual practice today, pause and set the intention to serve Kṛṣṇa rather than seek a material reward.
Ask yourself
Do I approach spiritual practice mainly for material rewards, or to understand and serve 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.