Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.17.3
Mukti· LiberationDevotional Service Is Life’s Highest Perfection
“The seven great sages [Marīci, Vasiṣṭha, Atri and so on] reside on planets beneath Dhruvaloka. Well aware of the influence of the water of the Ganges, to this day they keep Ganges water on the tufts of hair on their heads. They have concluded that this is the ultimate wealth, the perfection of all austerities, and the best means of prosecuting transcendental life. Having obtained uninterrupted devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they neglect all other beneficial processes like religion, economic development, sense gratification and even merging into the Supreme. Just as jñānīs think that merging into the existence of the Lord is the highest truth, these seven exalted personalities accept devotional service as the perfection of life.”
What the purport teaches
- The seven great sages regard devotional service as the highest perfection of life. Knowing the Ganges’ influence, they carry her holy water on their heads.
- Impersonalists seek to merge into the Lord’s Brahman existence, but devotees desire to participate in His transcendental activities. For one who has achieved pure devotional service, even liberation is unimportant.
- The senses become like snakes with their poisonous fangs removed when engaged in the Lord’s service. Kṛṣṇa declares that the devotee who worships Him with great faith is the highest of all yogīs.
Try this today
Use your voice today to read aloud the verse’s statement that devotional service is the perfection of life.
Ask yourself
Am I learning to value service to the Lord more than benefits for myself?
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.