Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.11.5
Sthāna· The universe in orderHigher Destinations Require Genuine Qualifications
“Those fools and rascals who want to ascend to the upper planetary system by mystic power or mechanical means, or who endeavor to cross even the upper planets and achieve the spiritual world or liberation, I cause to be sent to the lowest region of the universe.”
What the purport teaches
- Different planetary systems are meant for differently qualified persons. Those in the mode of goodness can go to the upper planets.
- Indra has the power to push down a conditioned soul who attempts to enter the higher planets without proper qualifications.
- The purport stresses that mechanical means cannot replace sufficient good qualities. It describes drinking, meat-eating, and illicit sex as obstacles to entering the higher planets.
Try this today
Identify one habit that weakens your good qualities and take one concrete step to restrain it today.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking advancement through genuine good qualities or through shortcuts?
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.