Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 9.269
Service Makes Material Opulence Insignificant
“ ‘It is very difficult to give up material opulence, land, children, society, friends, riches, wife or the blessings of the goddess of fortune, which are desired even by great demigods. But King Bharata did not desire such things, and this was quite befitting his position, because for a pure devotee whose mind is always engaged in the service of the Lord, even liberation, or merging into the existence of the Lord, is insignificant. And what to speak of material opportunities?’
What the purport teaches
- Material opulence, family, friends and riches are very difficult to give up. Even great demigods desire the blessings of the goddess of fortune.
- King Bharata did not desire these things, which was befitting his position. The purport identifies this verse as a glorification of him.
- For a pure devotee whose mind is always engaged in the Lord’s service, even liberation is insignificant. Material opportunities are still less important.
Try this today
Today, set aside one pursuit of material comfort for a few minutes and use that time to serve the Lord.
Ask yourself
Which material desire most distracts my mind from the Lord’s service?
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.