Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.5.26
Mukti· LiberationMake Service the Only Desire
“Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thereafter, because of his advanced position in devotional life, Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, who no longer desired to live with material things, retired from active family life. He divided his property among his sons, who were equally as qualified, and he himself took the order of vānaprastha and went to the forest to concentrate his mind fully upon Lord Vāsudeva.”
What the purport teaches
- A person whose only desire is service to the Lord is liberated in any condition of life. Mahārāja Ambarīṣa was already liberated as a pure devotee.
- As an ideal king, he divided his kingdom among his equally qualified sons and accepted vānaprastha, retirement from family life.
- He went to the forest to concentrate his mind fully on Lord Vāsudeva. His retirement directed his attention fully toward the Lord's lotus feet.
Try this today
Set aside five quiet minutes today to concentrate your mind on Lord Vāsudeva.
Ask yourself
How can I give more focused attention to serving the Lord in my present circumstances?
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.