Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.13.20
Mukti· LiberationSharpen Knowledge Through Devotional Service
“My dear King Rahūgaṇa, you are also a victim of the external energy, being situated on the path of attraction to material pleasure. So that you may become an equal friend to all living entities, I now advise you to give up your kingly position and the rod by which you punish criminals. Give up attraction to the sense objects and take up the sword of knowledge sharpened by devotional service. Then you will be able to cut the hard knot of illusory energy and cross to the other side of the ocean of nescience.”
What the purport teaches
- Rahūgaṇa is advised to give up his kingly position and attraction to sense objects. He should become an equal friend to all living entities.
- Knowledge is like a sword sharpened by devotional service. With it, one can cut the hard knot of illusion and cross the ocean of ignorance.
- Lord Kṛṣṇa teaches that one must cut down the tree of material attachment with determination. Then one should seek the place of no return and surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Try this today
Set aside one unnecessary sense pleasure today and use that time for devotional service.
Ask yourself
How can devotional service help me loosen one material attachment?
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.