Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.61.37
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesMockery Meets Lord Balarāma’s Response
“The King of Kaliṅga, who had laughed at Lord Balarāma and shown his teeth, tried to run away, but the furious Lord quickly seized him on his tenth step and knocked out all his teeth.”
What the purport teaches
- The King of Kaliṅga had laughed at Lord Balarāma, openly showing his teeth.
- When he tried to flee, the furious Lord quickly seized him on his tenth step.
- Lord Balarāma knocked out all his teeth—the very teeth he had displayed while laughing.
Try this today
Notice one opportunity to laugh at someone today, and choose not to mock them.
Ask yourself
Does my laughter ever express contempt rather than kindness?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.