Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.6.39-40
Ūti· What drives us to actDesire Arose Even During Severe Austerity
“Saubhari Ṛṣi was engaged in austerity, deep in the water of the river Yamunā, when he saw a pair of fish engaged in sexual affairs. Thus he perceived the pleasure of sex life, and induced by this desire he went to King Māndhātā and begged for one of the King’s daughters. In response to this request, the King said, “O brāhmaṇa, any of my daughters may accept any husband according to her personal selection.””
What the purport teaches
- Saubhari Ṛṣi performed austerity while submerged deep in the river Yamunā.
- Seeing a pair of fish engaged in sexual affairs awakened sexual desire in him. He left the water and asked King Māndhātā for one of his daughters as his wife.
- Māndhātā replied that any of his daughters could accept a husband according to her personal selection.
Try this today
Today, notice one desire awakened by something you see, and pause before acting on it.
Ask yourself
Have you noticed how something you see can awaken a desire and change your plans?
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.