Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.14.12
Ūti· What drives us to actUse Wealth in Kṛṣṇa's Service
“Due to his pious activities in previous lives, the conditioned soul attains material facilities in this life, but when they are finished, he takes shelter of wealth and riches, which cannot help him in this life or the next. Because of this, he approaches the living dead who possess these things. Such people are compared to impure trees, creepers and poisonous wells.”
What the purport teaches
- Wealth gained through previous pious activities should not be misused for sense gratification. Such enjoyment is compared to eating the fruit of a poisonous tree and offers no lasting benefit.
- Possessions bring benefit in this life and the next when engaged in the Lord's service under a proper spiritual master's guidance. Śrī Kṛṣṇa asks that our actions, eating, offerings and gifts be offered to Him.
- One should not seek more than life's necessities. Any surplus should be fully engaged in the Lord's service, making oneself, the world and Kṛṣṇa happy.
Try this today
Identify one possession or small amount beyond your necessities and dedicate it to the Lord's service.
Ask yourself
Which of my resources could serve Kṛṣṇa rather than merely increase my enjoyment?
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.