Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.15.72
Ūti· What drives us to actKeep Kīrtana Centered on the Supreme Lord
“Nārada Muni continued: Being invited to that festival, I also joined, and, surrounded by women, I began musically singing the glories of the demigods. Because of this, the prajāpatis, the great demigods in charge of the affairs of the universe, forcefully cursed me with these words: “Because you have committed an offense, may you immediately become a śūdra, devoid of beauty.””
What the purport teaches
- Invited to glorify the Supreme Lord, Nārada Muni instead sang the glories of demigods while surrounded by women. The prajāpatis cursed him to become a śūdra without beauty.
- The purport explains that kīrtana means chanting the holy name and glories of Lord Viṣṇu. Substituting a demigod’s name does not give the same result.
- Nārada Muni’s offenses included joining in lustful company and treating ordinary songs as equal to saṅkīrtana. The account teaches care and respect in glorifying the Supreme Lord.
Try this today
During one period of chanting today, put aside entertainment and focus on the Supreme Lord’s holy name.
Ask yourself
Am I keeping the purpose of kīrtana distinct from ordinary entertainment?
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.