Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.7.21
Ūti· What drives us to actNever Take the Spiritual Master for Granted
“Lord Brahmā said: O best of the demigods, unfortunately, because of madness resulting from your material opulence, you failed to receive Bṛhaspati properly when he came to your assembly. Because he is aware of the Supreme Brahman and fully in control of his senses, he is the best of the brāhmaṇas. Therefore it is very astonishing that you have acted impudently toward him.”
What the purport teaches
- Bṛhaspati was a most qualified brāhmaṇa because he knew the Supreme Brahman and controlled his mind and senses.
- Puffed up by material possessions, the demigods took their guru’s regular visits for granted. Lord Brahmā condemned their neglect.
- The guru gives spiritual insight and should be regarded as one’s master, life after life. One should always offer the ācārya respect, never considering him an ordinary human being.
Try this today
Offer respectful obeisances to your spiritual master today, remembering the gift of spiritual insight.
Ask yourself
Has familiarity or material comfort weakened my respect for spiritual guidance?
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.