Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.5.42
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyHousehold Life Needs Spiritual Advancement
“Although I live in household life with my wife and children, I honestly follow the Vedic injunctions by engaging in fruitive activities to enjoy life without sinful reactions. I have performed all kinds of yajñas, including the deva-yajña, ṛṣi-yajña, pitṛ-yajña and nṛ-yajña. Because these yajñas are called vratas [vows], I am known as a gṛhavrata. Unfortunately, you have given me great displeasure by misguiding my sons, for no reason, to the path of renunciation. This can be tolerated once.”
What the purport teaches
- Dakṣa emphasized that he followed Vedic injunctions and performed yajñas to enjoy life without sinful reactions. He regarded Nārada’s guidance of his sons toward renunciation as a great wrong.
- A gṛhamedhī is satisfied with family life without spiritual advancement. A gṛhastha also lives with wife and children but is eager for spiritual advancement.
- Dakṣa claimed that his earlier silence showed kindness and tolerance. Aggrieved by the renunciation of more sons, he wanted to prove himself a greater sādhu than Nārada Muni.
Try this today
Set aside five minutes at home today for spiritual study rather than material comfort alone.
Ask yourself
Does my daily home life include a sincere desire for spiritual advancement?
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.