Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.18.35
Ūti· What drives us to actNever Claim the Supreme Lord’s Place
“After the departure of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead and supreme ruler of everyone, these upstarts have flourished, our protector being gone. Therefore I myself shall take up this matter and punish them. Just witness my power.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the supreme ruler of everyone. The boy nevertheless declared that he would take punishment into his own hands and display his power.
- Puffed up by a little brahminical power, Śṛṅgi gave Kali an opportunity to establish authority. He wanted to show his strength through destruction and take the place of Lord Kṛṣṇa.
- The purport warns against false incarnations who accept people’s spiritual obedience to maintain false prestige. A little power does not make someone the Lord.
Try this today
Before exercising authority today, remind yourself that Śrī Kṛṣṇa—not you—is the supreme ruler.
Ask yourself
Do I use my abilities responsibly, or to make others admire and obey me?
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.