Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.3.12
Ūti· What drives us to actSeeking Mastery While Serving the Senses
“O lord, we have heard from reliable sources that in order to obtain your post, Hiraṇyakaśipu is now engaged in severe austerity. You are the master of the three worlds. Please, without delay, take whatever steps you deem appropriate.”
What the purport teaches
- The demigods informed Brahmā that Hiraṇyakaśipu was performing severe austerities to obtain his post. They asked Brahmā to act without delay.
- In the material world, a servant may receive support from a master yet plan to capture the master’s position.
- Everyone tries to become master through various devices while remaining a servant of the senses. Hiraṇyakaśipu’s desire to rule the universe illustrates this contradiction.
Try this today
Today, pause before acting on one desire for control and identify the sense demand behind it.
Ask yourself
Where does my desire to be in control reveal that I am serving my senses?
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.