Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.6.50
Ūti· What drives us to actLearn From the Danger of Bad Association
“Alas! While practicing austerity, even within the depths of the water, and while observing all the rules and regulations practiced by saintly persons, I lost the results of my long austerities simply by association with the sexual affairs of fish. Everyone should observe this falldown and learn from it.”
What the purport teaches
- Saubhari Muni had practiced austerity for a long time, even within the depths of the water.
- Although he observed the rules and regulations of saintly persons, association with the sexual affairs of fish caused him to lose the results of his austerities.
- He openly lamented his falldown and asked everyone to learn from it. His experience warns that strict practice and a secluded place do not remove the danger of harmful association.
Try this today
Avoid one source of sexually distracting sights or conversation today.
Ask yourself
What influence could weaken the spiritual discipline I am trying to maintain?
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.