Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.66.30-31
Ūti· What drives us to actKṛṣṇa Upholds Brahminical Culture
“Lord Śiva told him, “Accompanied by brāhmaṇas, serve the Dakṣiṇāgni fire — the original priest — following the injunctions of the abhicāra ritual. Then the Dakṣiṇāgni fire, together with many Pramathas, will fulfill your desire if you direct it against someone inimical to the brāhmaṇas.” So instructed, Sudakṣiṇa strictly observed the ritualistic vows and invoked the abhicāra against Lord Kṛṣṇa.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Śiva’s instruction included a clear condition: the Dakṣiṇāgni fire could act only against someone unfavorable to brahminical culture.
- Lord Kṛṣṇa is most favorable to the brāhmaṇas and maintains brahminical culture. Sudakṣiṇa nevertheless invoked the ritual against Him.
- Lord Śiva knew that directing this ritual against Kṛṣṇa would cause Sudakṣiṇa himself to perish. Strict ritual observance did not remove that consequence.
Try this today
Reread Lord Śiva’s condition and the purport’s explanation of why it could not apply to Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
Am I attending carefully to instructions, or selecting only what supports my desire?
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.