Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.8.12
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Brahmāstra Targets Without Blind Destruction
“O foremost among the great thinkers [munis] [Śaunaka], seeing the glaring brahmāstra proceeding towards them, the Pāṇḍavas took up their five respective weapons.”
What the purport teaches
- Seeing the glaring brahmāstra approaching, the five Pāṇḍavas took up their respective weapons.
- The purport describes the brahmāstra as finer and more effective than atomic weapons. Aśvatthāmā directed it toward the five brothers and their only grandson within Uttarā’s womb.
- Unlike atomic bombs, which harm innocent people indiscriminately, the brahmāstra marks out its target. It proceeds toward that target without harming others.
Try this today
Before taking one action today, pause to consider whether it could unnecessarily harm someone uninvolved.
Ask yourself
Why is the distinction between targeted action and harm to the innocent important?
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.