Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.12.22
Ūti· What drives us to actLusty Attraction Binds the Heart
“While Lord Śiva observed the beautiful woman playing with the ball, She sometimes glanced at him and slightly smiled in bashfulness. As he looked at the beautiful woman and She watched him, he forgot both himself and Umā, his most beautiful wife, as well as his associates nearby.”
What the purport teaches
- Captivated by the woman’s glances, Lord Śiva forgot himself, Umā and his nearby associates. Although above ordinary attraction, he was overcome by Lord Viṣṇu’s captivating power.
- Exchanges of glances and lusty feelings increase desire. The purport explains that both parties become bound to the material world.
- Attraction between male and female ties their hearts together and extends to body, home, property, children, relatives and wealth. In this way, the illusion of “I and mine” increases.
Try this today
Notice one moment of possessive thinking today and quietly identify the “I” or “mine” behind it.
Ask yourself
When does attraction make you forget others and think mainly in terms of “I and mine”?
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.