Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.9.6
Nirodha· Winding upRemember Death and Life’s Spiritual Purpose
“The brāhmaṇa father of Jaḍa Bharata considered his son his heart and soul, and therefore he was very much attached to him. He thought it wise to educate his son properly, and being absorbed in this unsuccessful endeavor, he tried to teach his son the rules and regulations of brahmacarya — including the execution of the Vedic vows, cleanliness, study of the Vedas, the regulative methods, service to the spiritual master and the method of offering a fire sacrifice. He tried his best to teach his son in this way, but all his endeavors failed. In his heart he hoped that his son would be a learned scholar, but all his attempts were unsuccessful. Like everyone, this brāhmaṇa was attached to his home, and he had forgotten that someday he would die. Death, however, was not forgetful. At the proper time, death appeared and took him away.”
What the purport teaches
- Jaḍa Bharata’s father was absorbed in educating his beloved son and forgot that death would come. Although people forget death, death never forgets them.
- Excessive attachment to family affairs can prevent one from fulfilling the purpose of human life. Jaḍa Bharata was concerned with returning home, back to Godhead, through hearing and chanting about the Lord.
- Vedic principles are imperative for an ordinary person. Jaḍa Bharata’s position beyond these requirements rested on his perfection in devotional service, not on ordinary unwillingness to follow them.
Try this today
Reserve a short time today for hearing or chanting about the Lord rather than postponing it.
Ask yourself
Am I making room for life’s spiritual purpose amid my family responsibilities?
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.