Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.66.27-28
Ūti· What drives us to actRevenge Becomes the Aim of Worship
“After the King’s son Sudakṣiṇa had performed the obligatory funeral rituals for his father, he resolved within his mind: “Only by killing my father’s murderer can I avenge his death.” Thus the charitable Sudakṣiṇa, together with his priests, began worshiping Lord Maheśvara with great attention.”
What the purport teaches
- Sudakṣiṇa performed the obligatory funeral rituals for his father. He then resolved to avenge his death by killing his father’s murderer.
- Although charitable, Sudakṣiṇa directed his attentive worship of Lord Maheśvara toward revenge. His priests joined him.
- The purport identifies Lord Śiva as Viśvanātha, the lord of the kingdom of Kāśi. His temple in Vārāṇasī continues to receive many thousands of pilgrims daily.
Try this today
Before worship today, examine whether you are carrying a wish for revenge, and set that wish aside.
Ask yourself
Is resentment shaping what I seek through worship?
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.