Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.3.14
Ūti· What drives us to actServe Devotees to Overcome Māyā
“Dear Lord, unless one worships the lotus feet of great devotees, one will be conquered by the illusory energy, and his intelligence will be bewildered. Indeed, who has not been carried away by the waves of material enjoyment, which are like poison? Your illusory energy is unconquerable. No one can see the path of this material energy or tell how it is working.”
What the purport teaches
- Material desires, whether great or small, arise through māyā’s influence. Pure devotion is free from desires for sense gratification.
- Freedom from māyā is possible through serving and associating with great devotees. Without their mercy, one cannot obtain the Lord’s loving service.
- A pure devotee has no material desire to enjoy this world and remains free from māyā’s influence. We should take shelter of such a devotee to attain these qualities.
Try this today
Offer one small, practical act of help to a devotee today.
Ask yourself
How can I seek devotees’ association with a desire to serve rather than gain something material?
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.