Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.9.55
Mukti· LiberationChoose Pure Service Over Material Benefits
“Nārada Muni said: Prahlāda Mahārāja was the best person in the family of asuras, who always aspire for material happiness. Nonetheless, although allured by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who offered him all benedictions for material happiness, because of his unalloyed Kṛṣṇa consciousness he did not want to take any material benefit for sense gratification.”
What the purport teaches
- Although offered all benedictions for material happiness, Prahlāda Mahārāja wanted no benefit for sense gratification. His Kṛṣṇa consciousness was unalloyed.
- Pure devotees do not aspire for material benefits at any stage of devotional service. Dhruva Mahārāja also declined such benefits when the Lord stood before him.
- Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu taught us not to pray for wealth, popularity or beauty. The pure desire is to serve the Supreme Lord as the servant of His servant.
Try this today
Offer one prayer asking only for service to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, without requesting a material reward.
Ask yourself
Do I seek devotional service itself, or the material benefits I hope it will bring?
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.