Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.2.10
Ūti· What drives us to actLust Distorts What We See
“O brāhmaṇa, I can simply hear the tinkling of your ankle bells. Within those bells, tittiri birds seem to be chirping among themselves. Although I do not see their forms, I can hear how they are chirping. When I look at your beautiful circular hips, I see they are the lovely color of kadamba flowers, and your waist is encircled by a belt of burning cinders. Indeed, you seem to have forgotten to dress yourself.”
What the purport teaches
- Āgnīdhra gazed at Pūrvacitti’s attractive features with lusty desires. His attention was especially drawn to her hips and waist.
- Her fine yellow silk made her hips appear like kadamba flowers. Her belt made her waist seem encircled by burning cinders.
- Pūrvacitti was fully dressed. Yet Āgnīdhra had become so lusty that he asked why she had come naked.
Try this today
Before acting on one strong desire today, separate what you actually observe from what you imagine.
Ask yourself
When has a strong desire made me overlook what was actually before me?
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.