Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.2.7
Ūti· What drives us to actSober Intelligence Recognizes Our Duty to Serve
“The Prince mistakenly addressed the Apsarā: O best of saintly persons, who are you? Why are you on this hill, and what do you want to do? Are you one of the illusory potencies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead? You seem to be carrying two bows without strings. What is the reason you carry these bows? Is it for some purpose of your own or for the sake of a friend? Perhaps you carry them to kill the mad animals in this forest.”
What the purport teaches
- Although Āgnīdhra had performed severe penances, attraction to Pūrvacitti bewildered his intelligence. The purport explains that lust makes one lose the power to distinguish clearly.
- Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is beyond the material world. Māyā is not the ultimate authority; she acts under His direction.
- A sober person knows that a human being’s primary duty is to serve the Supreme Person. Toiling only for temporary sense pleasure leaves one without attachment for love of Godhead.
Try this today
Set aside one unnecessary sense pleasure today and use that time for devotional service.
Ask yourself
Where might temporary pleasure be distracting me from service to the Supreme Person?
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.