Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.1.16
Nirodha· Winding upFalse Devotion Brings Dangerous Results
“Thus ridiculed by deceit, the sages became angry, O King, and told the boys, “Fools! She will bear you an iron club that will destroy your entire dynasty.””
What the purport teaches
- The angered sages declared that an iron club would destroy the boys’ dynasty. Kṛṣṇa arranged this to reduce false pride and teach that Vaiṣṇavas are not foolish or mundane.
- Pure devotees are free from the conditioned soul’s defects of mistakes, illusion, imperfect senses and cheating. The young Yadus displayed lower tendencies as part of the Lord’s instructive arrangement.
- Hatred or envy of the Lord’s preaching mission is not bhakti. Claiming exalted devotion while offending pure devotees brings trouble to both the pretenders and their followers.
Try this today
Before making a comment about a devotee today, pause and check whether it comes from respect or envy.
Ask yourself
Do I ever mistake criticism born of envy for devotion?
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.