Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 23.25
Eagerness for Kṛṣṇa Brings Detachment
“ ‘King Bharata was very eager to attain the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, who is called Uttamaḥśloka because poems and prayers are offered to Him for His favor. In his youth, King Bharata gave up his attractive wife and children, as well as his beloved friends and opulent kingdom, just as one gives up stool after passing it.’
What the purport teaches
- King Bharata was very eager to attain the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is called Uttamaḥśloka because poems and prayers are offered to Him for His favor.
- In his youth, King Bharata gave up his attractive wife and children, beloved friends and opulent kingdom. He discarded them as readily as one gives up stool after passing it.
- The purport identifies these as signs of virakti, or detachment. Such detachment is found in one who has developed bhāva, the preliminary stage of love of Godhead.
Try this today
Offer a brief prayer to Kṛṣṇa today expressing your desire for His association.
Ask yourself
What does King Bharata’s eagerness reveal about the value he placed on Kṛṣṇa’s association?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.