Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.23.2
Mukti· LiberationTolerate Personal Insults
“Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa said: O disciple of Bṛhaspati, there is virtually no saintly man in this world capable of resettling his own mind after it has been disturbed by the insulting words of uncivilized men.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa explains that even saintly people find it very difficult to settle a mind disturbed by insulting words.
- Ridicule of spiritual realization disturbs devotees because it obstructs the progress of human society.
- A devotee must tolerate personal insults, but cannot tolerate offenses against the Lord Himself or His pure devotee.
Try this today
If someone speaks slightingly to you today, pause before replying and choose not to return the insult.
Ask yourself
Can I distinguish an insult to myself from an offense against the Lord or His pure devotee?
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.