Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.89.4
Ūti· What drives us to actIntelligence Can Subdue Rising Anger
“Though anger toward his son was now rising within his heart, Lord Brahmā was able to subdue it by applying his intelligence, in the same way that fire is extinguished by its own product, water.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Brahmā is sometimes affected by contact with the mode of passion. Yet, as the foremost learned scholar, he can control anger through discriminating self-examination.
- He reminded himself that Bhṛgu was his son and subdued the anger rising in his heart.
- His own son thus served to put out his anger, just as water, which originally evolved from elemental fire, extinguishes fire.
Try this today
If anger arises today, pause and consider your relationship with the person before responding.
Ask yourself
What could I remember about another person to help quiet my anger?
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.