Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.14.43
Mukti· LiberationCultivate Devotion Carefully; Sincere Service Endures
“While in the prime of life, the great Mahārāja Bharata gave up everything because he was fond of serving the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Uttamaśloka. He gave up his beautiful wife, nice children, great friends and an enormous empire. Although these things were very difficult to give up, Mahārāja Bharata was so exalted that he gave them up just as one gives up stool after evacuating. Such was the greatness of His Majesty.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa is so attractive that Mahārāja Bharata gave up his family, friends, and empire to serve Him. His desire to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead outweighed his material possessions.
- Bharata’s affection for a little deer interrupted his devotional progress, but Kṛṣṇa’s mercy preserved his understanding. His example teaches us to be cautious, because even a little inattention can delay devotional service.
- A little devotional service rendered sincerely is a permanent asset. Even if one falls, that service is never lost and can give an impetus to advance.
Try this today
Set aside one distraction and give a few attentive minutes to a small act of devotional service today.
Ask yourself
What distraction could I set aside to cultivate Kṛṣṇa consciousness more carefully?
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.