Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.18.40
Ūti· What drives us to actDevotional Service Is Religion’s Ultimate Purpose
“Yadu replied: My dear father, you have already achieved old age, although you also were a young man. But I do not welcome your old age and invalidity, for unless one enjoys material happiness, one cannot attain renunciation.”
What the purport teaches
- The varṇāśrama institution provides gradual elevation toward renunciation and returning home, back to Godhead. Premature renunciation can leave material desires that disturb service.
- One engaged in full devotional service is already on the spiritual platform and is liberated. The ultimate principle of religion is service to the Lord.
- Yadu’s refusal was religious because his purpose was to serve the Lord without delay or disturbance. He was also eager for Lord Kṛṣṇa to appear in his dynasty.
Try this today
Identify one attachment that disturbs your service, and take one small step today toward reducing it.
Ask yourself
Are my choices helping me move toward steady devotional service, or merely protecting my enjoyment?
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.