Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.14.42
Ūti· What drives us to actDesire and Mistaken Recognition
“Urvaśī said: “My dear King, seek shelter of the Gandharvas, for they will be able to deliver me to you again.” In accordance with these words, the King satisfied the Gandharvas by prayers, and the Gandharvas, being pleased with him, gave him an Agnisthālī girl who looked exactly like Urvaśī. Thinking that the girl was Urvaśī, the King began walking with her in the forest, but later he could understand that she was not Urvaśī but Agnisthālī.”
What the purport teaches
- Following Urvaśī's advice, Purūravā satisfied the Gandharvas with prayers. They gave him an Agnisthālī girl who looked exactly like Urvaśī.
- Thinking she was Urvaśī, he walked with her in the forest. The purport describes him as very lusty and eager for sexual union.
- The purport explains that during sexual intercourse he recognized that she was Agnisthālī, not Urvaśī, because he knew Urvaśī's particular characteristics.
Try this today
Before acting on one strong desire today, pause and check whether your impression matches the facts.
Ask yourself
Can strong desire make you accept an appearance before understanding what is actually there?
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.