Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.19.14
Ūti· What drives us to actEnjoyment Feeds the Fire of Desire
“As supplying butter to a fire does not diminish the fire but instead increases it more and more, the endeavor to stop lusty desires by continual enjoyment can never be successful. [In fact, one must voluntarily cease from material desires.]”
What the purport teaches
- Trying to end lusty desires through continual enjoyment can never succeed.
- Supplying butter to a blazing fire increases it rather than extinguishing it. Similarly, indulgence strengthens desire.
- Enough money and resources to satisfy the senses still cannot bring satisfaction. Material desires must be voluntarily given up.
Try this today
Forgo one unnecessary indulgence today, remembering the example of butter feeding a fire.
Ask yourself
Which repeated indulgence seems to increase my desire rather than satisfy it?
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.