Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.1.59
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRemain Steady Through Happiness and Distress
“My dear King Parīkṣit, when Kaṁsa saw that Vasudeva, being situated in truthfulness, was completely equipoised in giving him the child, he was very happy. Therefore, with a smiling face, he spoke as follows.”
What the purport teaches
- Samatvam means remaining equipoised, unaffected by happiness or distress. Vasudeva showed this steadiness while delivering his first-born child to Kaṁsa.
- Material happiness and distress come and go like winter and summer. Kṛṣṇa teaches that one should learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.
- A self-realized soul is not disturbed by material happiness or distress. Vasudeva, an exalted devotee, demonstrated this teaching by his practical example.
Try this today
When a minor discomfort arises, pause and remember that it will pass before choosing your response.
Ask yourself
Which passing happiness or distress is most likely to unsettle me today?
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.