Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.10.13
Mukti· LiberationMercy Removes Pride and Awakens Devotion
“Atheistic fools and rascals who are very much proud of wealth fail to see things as they are. Therefore, returning them to poverty is the proper ointment for their eyes so they may see things as they are. At least a poverty-stricken man can realize how painful poverty is, and therefore he will not want others to be in a painful condition like his own.”
What the purport teaches
- Pride in wealth can blind a person to things as they are. Experiencing poverty can help one understand others' suffering.
- Living entities are promoted and degraded by the laws of nature. A fortunate person receives the seed of devotional service through association with saintly persons.
- Nārada Muni wanted to bring Nalakūvara and Maṇigrīva to devotional service through poverty. His curse was the mercy of a Vaiṣṇava, not merely punishment.
Try this today
Recall one difficulty you have experienced, and offer one small kindness to someone facing a similar difficulty.
Ask yourself
How can remembering my own difficulties make me more receptive to others and to devotional service?
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.