Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.2.6
Ūti· What drives us to actGuard Devotion Against Captivating Material Attractions
“Like a honeybee, the Apsarā smelled the beautiful and attractive flowers. She could attract the minds and vision of both humans and demigods by her playful movements, her shyness and humility, her glances, the very pleasing sounds that poured from her mouth as she spoke, and the motion of her limbs. By all these qualities, she opened for Cupid, who bears an arrow of flowers, a path of aural reception into the minds of men. When she spoke, nectar seemed to flow from her mouth. As she breathed, the bees, mad for the taste of her breath, tried to hover about her beautiful lotuslike eyes. Disturbed by the bees, she tried to move hastily, but as she raised her feet to walk quickly, her hair, the belt on her hips, and her breasts, which were like water jugs, also moved in a way that made her extremely beautiful and attractive. Indeed, she seemed to be making a path for the entrance of Cupid, who is most powerful. Therefore the prince, completely subdued by seeing her, spoke to her as follows.”
What the purport teaches
- Pūrvacitti’s voice, gestures, and beauty captivated the prince. The purport explains that such attraction awakens lusty desires among both humans and demigods.
- Contemplating bodily beauty and material opulence increases the desire to remain in the material world. This checks advancement toward the spiritual world.
- Those serious about returning home, back to Godhead, should avoid dwelling on objects of sense gratification and seek devotional service without material motives. Once a devotee is fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, these attractions no longer agitate the mind.
Try this today
Today, turn away from one image or display that encourages lust or fascination with wealth, and give that time to devotional service.
Ask yourself
Which material attractions draw my attention away from devotional service?
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.