Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.10.32
Nirodha· Winding upFace Mortality With Worthy Deeds
“Vṛtrāsura said: All living entities who have taken birth in this material world must die. Surely, no one in this world has found any means to be saved from death. Even providence has not provided a means to escape it. Under the circumstances, death being inevitable, if one can gain promotion to the higher planetary systems and be always celebrated here by dying a suitable death, what man will not accept such a glorious death?”
What the purport teaches
- Every living entity born in the material world must die. No means of escaping death has been provided.
- Vṛtrāsura argues that a suitable death can bring promotion to higher planetary systems and lasting honor.
- The purport recalls Kṛṣṇa’s advice to Arjuna: victory would bring a kingdom, while death in battle would bring elevation to heavenly planets. It emphasizes performing glorious deeds rather than meeting an undistinguished death.
Try this today
Take a quiet minute to reflect on life’s limited time, then complete one worthwhile task you have been postponing.
Ask yourself
How does remembering that life is temporary affect the deeds I choose?
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.