Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.13.16
Ūti· What drives us to actTake Shelter of the Supreme Lord
“Sometimes the living entity in the forest of material existence takes shelter of creepers and desires to hear the chirping of the birds in those creepers. Being afraid of roaring lions in the forest, he makes friends with cranes, herons and vultures.”
What the purport teaches
- The creepers and chirping birds represent seeking happiness in a wife’s embrace and sweet voice. Later, imminent death appears like a roaring lion.
- Fear of death can lead a person to take shelter of false svāmīs, yogīs and spiritual pretenders. Such shelter cheats the person rather than saving him.
- No one can be saved from the danger of death without taking shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. To be saved from the lion of death, one must take shelter of supreme Hari.
Try this today
Offer a brief prayer to Hari today, asking for shelter rather than relying on spiritual pretenders.
Ask yourself
When I feel afraid, do I seek shelter in the Supreme Lord or in reassuring appearances?
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.