Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.7.20
Ūti· What drives us to actPower Without Knowledge of Withdrawal
“Since his life was in danger, he touched water in sanctity and concentrated upon the chanting of the hymns for throwing nuclear weapons, although he did not know how to withdraw such weapons.”
What the purport teaches
- With his life in danger, Aśvatthāmā touches water in sanctity and concentrates on chanting the weapon’s hymns.
- He prepares to release the weapon even though he does not know how to withdraw it.
- The purport describes subtle material activities as finer than gross material manipulation. Here, purified sound in the form of hymns is used to activate a weapon.
Try this today
Before one action with lasting effects today, check whether you know how to reverse it.
Ask yourself
Before starting something consequential, do I understand how to stop or undo it?
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.