Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.7.46
Mukti· LiberationSaintly Leadership Serves Others, Not Pride
“A saintly person, just like fire, sometimes appears in a concealed form and at other times reveals himself. For the welfare of the conditioned souls who desire real happiness, a saintly person may accept the worshipable position of spiritual master, and thus like fire he burns to ashes all the past and future sinful reactions of his worshipers by mercifully accepting their offerings.”
What the purport teaches
- A saintly person generally conceals his exalted position, but may reveal it to instruct suffering people.
- By accepting the position of spiritual master and mercifully receiving offerings, he burns away his followers’ sinful reactions like fire.
- He knows that all praise is actually meant for the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa. His attachment to the Absolute Truth burns away the pride that praise ordinarily produces.
Try this today
If someone praises you today, pause and remember that all praise is ultimately meant for Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
When I receive praise, do I seek personal importance or remember whom praise ultimately belongs to?
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.