Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.2.21
Mukti· LiberationTemporary Relationships, Lasting Purpose in Serving God
“My dear mother, in a restaurant or place for drinking cold water, many travelers are brought together, and after drinking water they continue to their respective destinations. Similarly, living entities join together in a family, and later, as a result of their own actions, they are led apart to their destinations.”
What the purport teaches
- Family members are like travelers who meet at a place for drinking water and later depart. Living entities come together temporarily and separate according to their actions.
- In material life we are under the control of material nature, though we may think ourselves independent doers. The desire to enjoy equally with Kṛṣṇa brings living entities under this conditioning.
- Hiraṇyakaśipu’s advice was sound, but knowledge alone does not make one godly. Whatever our occupation, perfection means using our intelligence and duties to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Try this today
Choose one duty today and consciously perform it with the intention of pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Ask yourself
Am I using my understanding to serve the Lord, or simply to feel knowledgeable?
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.