Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.75.33
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesBeauty Met With Envy and Lust
“Lord Madhupati’s thousands of queens were also staying in the palace. Their feet moved slowly, weighed down by their hips, and the bells on their feet tinkled charmingly. Their waists were very slender, the kuṅkuma from their breasts reddened their pearl necklaces, and their swaying earrings and flowing locks of hair enhanced the exquisite beauty of their faces.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Madhupati's thousands of queens were staying in the palace. Their tinkling foot bells, pearl necklaces, earrings and flowing hair enhanced their beauty.
- The purport explains that seeing the beauties in the palace made Duryodhana envious.
- He became especially envious and lustful on seeing Draupadī. He had been captivated by her at her marriage selection assembly but had failed to achieve her.
Try this today
If possessive longing arises today, pause and recognize it before speaking or acting.
Ask yourself
When I notice beauty, does admiration turn into a desire to possess?
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.