Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.1.49
Ūti· What drives us to actLeave Bodily Ignorance Through Devotional Knowledge
“As a sleeping person acts according to the body manifested in his dreams and accepts it to be himself, so one identifies with his present body, which he acquired because of his past religious or irreligious actions, and is unable to know his past or future lives.”
What the purport teaches
- A sleeping person accepts a dream body as himself; similarly, one identifies with the present body and forgets past and future lives. Seeking sense gratification in ignorance leads to sinful actions and another body subject to suffering.
- Vedic knowledge is the light that removes this darkness. Through goodness, or devotional service that transcends goodness, one can understand this knowledge.
- One must approach a spiritual master who knows the Vedas and faithfully follow his guidance to become a devotee of the Lord. With deep faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master, the meaning of Vedic knowledge is revealed.
Try this today
Spend five minutes studying this purport, and note one instruction that directs you beyond bodily enjoyment toward service to the Lord.
Ask yourself
Am I caring only for my present body, or also seeking knowledge that leads me toward 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.