Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.1.44
Ūti· What drives us to actReplace Envy with Service to the Lord
“Therefore, since envious, impious activities cause a body in which one suffers in the next life, why should one act impiously? Considering one’s welfare, one should not envy anyone, for an envious person must always fear harm from his enemies, either in this life or in the next.”
What the purport teaches
- Envious, impious activities lead to suffering and fear, in this life or the next. For our own welfare, we should not envy anyone.
- Instead of being inimical toward others, we should engage in the service of the Supreme Lord. We should give up harmful company and associate with devotees and saintly persons.
- This life is temporary, so we should act piously without attachment to temporary happiness and distress. Becoming Kṛṣṇa conscious solves the problems of life.
Try this today
Today, when envy arises, pause and choose one kind action instead.
Ask yourself
How could I replace an envious thought with a desire to serve the Lord?
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.