Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.12.35
Mukti· LiberationRecognize Illusion and Restrain Yourself
“O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, best of kings, when Lord Śiva had fully discharged semen, he could see how he himself had been victimized by the illusion created by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus he restrained himself from any further māyā.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Śiva came to his senses and recognized that he had been bewildered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s potency. He then restrained himself from further illusion.
- The purport explains that lusty desires can increase after attraction is aroused and diminish after sexual discharge. This principle acted upon Lord Śiva.
- Training in celibacy and protecting semen is presented as a safeguard against sexual attraction. Remaining a brahmacārī saves one much trouble in material existence.
Try this today
Step away from one source of sexual stimulation today rather than continuing to dwell on it.
Ask yourself
How can I respond with restraint when I recognize that desire is disturbing my judgment?
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.