Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.14.31
Ūti· What drives us to actUse Human Life for Devotional Service
“In this way the descendants of the monkeys intermingle with each other, and they are generally known as śūdras. Without hesitating, they live and move freely, not knowing the goal of life. They are captivated simply by seeing the faces of one another, which remind them of sense gratification. They are always engaged in material activities, known as grāmya-karma, and they work hard for material benefit. Thus they forget completely that one day their small life spans will be finished and they will be degraded in the evolutionary cycle.”
What the purport teaches
- Activities meant only to improve bodily comforts can make us forget our short life span and what follows death. Human life is a junction where one can move toward promotion or degradation.
- The real purpose of human life is to engage in devotional service and return home, back to Godhead. Merely seeking a better material position does not fulfill that purpose.
- Following the regulative principles, chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and reading Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam purify the heart. These practices help one understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead and one’s relationship with Him.
Try this today
Set aside five minutes today to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra attentively.
Ask yourself
How much of my daily effort serves bodily comfort, and how much serves my spiritual goal?
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.