Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.4.34
Ūti· What drives us to actDefeat Reveals Fear and Helplessness
“Defeated and bereft of all weapons, some of the demigods gave up fighting and praised you with folded hands, and some of them, appearing before you with loosened garments and hair, said, “O lord, we are very much afraid of you.””
What the purport teaches
- Some demigods were defeated and bereft of all weapons, so they gave up fighting.
- Some praised the king with folded hands.
- Others appeared with loosened garments and hair and openly said that they were very afraid.
Try this today
Pause before seeking approval today, and consider whether the other person feels free to speak honestly.
Ask yourself
Can I recognize when someone’s praise may come from fear?
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.