Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.9.49
Ūti· What drives us to actKnow the Soul’s Real Interest
“Those who think material assets to be everything or to be the ultimate goal of life are called misers [kṛpaṇas]. They do not know the ultimate necessity of the soul. Moreover, if one awards that which is desired by such fools, he must also be considered foolish.”
What the purport teaches
- A kṛpaṇa lives with a material, bodily concept of life and seeks material benefits. A brāhmaṇa knows the Absolute Truth and seeks spiritual benefit.
- Kṛṣṇa is supremely intelligent and does not simply fulfill foolish material requests. He gives intelligence that helps a person forget material desires and become attached to His lotus feet.
- The Lord may show special favor by taking away material possessions and teaching satisfaction in His service. Freedom from material bondage is the human being’s real self-interest.
Try this today
Turn one prayer for a material possession into a prayer for intelligence to be satisfied in Kṛṣṇa’s service.
Ask yourself
Which of my desires serves my spiritual interest rather than only bodily comfort?
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.