Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.4.2
Ūti· What drives us to actMaterial Benedictions Can Become Burdens
“Lord Brahmā said: O Hiraṇyakaśipu, these benedictions for which you have asked are difficult to obtain for most men. Nonetheless, O my son, I shall grant you them although they are generally not available.”
What the purport teaches
- Material benedictions are not always worthy of being called benedictions. Having more and more can turn a blessing into a curse.
- Acquiring material opulence requires great strength and endeavor, and maintaining it also requires great endeavor.
- Brahmā kept his promise to grant the requested benedictions. Yet the purport cautions against accepting benedictions one cannot enjoy peacefully.
Try this today
Before pursuing one new possession today, consider the effort needed to maintain it.
Ask yourself
Is something I want likely to bring peace, or more burdens to maintain?
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.