Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.13.6
Ūti· What drives us to actMaterial Relief Can Bring Further Distress
“Sometimes the conditioned soul jumps into a shallow river, or being short of food grains, he goes to beg food from people who are not at all charitable. Sometimes he suffers from the burning heat of household life, which is like a forest fire, and sometimes he becomes sad to have his wealth, which is as dear as life, plundered by kings in the name of heavy income taxes.”
What the purport teaches
- Seeking help from someone unable to give it can resemble jumping into a shallow river for relief. Instead of benefiting, one may suffer further injury.
- Worldly and household distress is compared to a forest fire that arises without anyone deliberately starting it. No one wants unhappiness, yet the laws of nature force distress upon everyone.
- Dependence on others for maintenance makes life difficult, and heavy taxation adds to distress. The purport therefore emphasizes the Vedic principle of living independently.
Try this today
Before asking for help with one need today, consider whether the person can realistically provide it.
Ask yourself
Am I expecting relief from someone who is neither able nor willing to help?
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.