Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.10.8
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesHonoring a Promise Without Material Attachment
“Carrying out the order of His father, who was bound by a promise to his wife, Lord Rāmacandra left behind His kingdom, opulence, friends, well-wishers, residence and everything else, just as a liberated soul gives up his life, and went to the forest with Sītā.”
What the purport teaches
- Kaikeyī requested that Bharata be enthroned and Rāmacandra be sent to the forest. Mahārāja Daśaratha was bound by his earlier promise to her.
- As an obedient son, Lord Rāmacandra accepted His father’s order immediately. He left His kingdom, opulence, friends and residence and went to the forest with Sītā.
- The Lord left everything without hesitation. His freedom from material attraction is compared to a liberated soul or great yogī giving up his life.
Try this today
Fulfill one small promise today, even if it requires giving up a little comfort.
Ask yourself
When does attachment to comfort make it difficult for me to honor a commitment?
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.