Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.13.33
Ūti· What drives us to actSeek Self-Knowledge Rather Than More Wealth
“Those who are considered materially powerful and rich are always full of anxieties because of governmental laws, thieves and rogues, enemies, family members, animals, birds, persons seeking charity, the inevitable time factor and even their own selves. Thus they are invariably afraid.”
What the purport teaches
- Material wealth and power bring many anxieties, including fear of government, thieves, relatives, and time. Possession does not guarantee security.
- Attachment to money can make a person afraid even of his own mistakes. He worries that he has failed to protect what he owns.
- There is no need to endeavor unnecessarily for more and more money. The real business of life is to ask “Who am I?” and understand how to return home, back to Godhead.
Try this today
Set aside five minutes to reflect on the question “Who am I?” rather than on your possessions.
Ask yourself
How much attention goes toward protecting possessions compared with understanding myself?
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.