This morning by chance, I happened upon the teachings of Lord Rsabhadeva to His sons. It was in an old notebook that I opened just to see what was inside. Inside were prayers from the Vaisnava Songbook, the Brahma-samhita, Teachings of Pralada Maharaja, and these teachings of Lord Rsabhadeva. It was Sri Gandhari’s old gurukula study notebook, and what she was studying 30 years ago was very useful and timely today. It was just what I needed to read this morning and I share it with you today. It is verses 1-27, from the Fifth Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam, chapter five.
Lord Ṛṣabhadeva told His sons: My dear boys, of all the living entities who have accepted material bodies in this world, one who has been awarded this human form should not work hard day and night simply for sense gratification, which is available even for dogs and hogs that eat stool. One should engage in penance and austerity to attain the divine position of devotional service. By such activity, one’s heart is purified, and when one attains this position, he attains eternal, blissful life, which is transcendental to material happiness and which continues forever.