Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.78.7
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesHarsh Words Lead into Violence
“Thus trying to harass Lord Kṛṣṇa with harsh words, as one might prick an elephant with sharp goads, Dantavakra struck the Lord on the head with his club and roared like a lion.”
What the purport teaches
- Dantavakra tried to harass Lord Kṛṣṇa with harsh words. The verse compares this to pricking an elephant with sharp goads.
- He then struck the Lord on the head with his club.
- Dantavakra roared like a lion as he attacked. His words, blow and roar all expressed his hostility toward the Lord.
Try this today
Before speaking in irritation today, pause and replace one harsh phrase with a gentle one.
Ask yourself
Do my words sometimes try to wound or provoke another person?
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.