Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.6.52
Ūti· What drives us to actMaterial Desires Have No End
“In the beginning I was alone and engaged in performing the austerities of mystic yoga, but later, because of the association of fish engaged in sex, I desired to marry. Then I became the husband of fifty wives, and in each of them I begot one hundred sons, and thus my family increased to five thousand members. By the influence of the modes of material nature, I became fallen and thought that I would be happy in material life. Thus there is no end to my material desires for enjoyment, in this life and the next.”
What the purport teaches
- Saubhari Muni began alone, practicing the austerities of mystic yoga. Association with fish engaged in sex awakened his desire to marry.
- He became the husband of fifty wives and fathered one hundred sons with each. His family thus increased to five thousand members.
- Under the influence of the modes of material nature, he thought material life would make him happy. He then recognized no end to his desires for enjoyment in this life and the next.
Try this today
Write down one desire that has led to further desires, and pause before pursuing it today.
Ask yourself
Where do I expect one more material achievement to bring lasting happiness?
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.