Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.9.2
Mukti· LiberationGive Up Envy and Find Happiness
“Once a group of large hawks who were unable to find any prey attacked another, weaker hawk who was holding some meat. At that time, being in danger of his life, the hawk gave up his meat and experienced actual happiness.”
What the purport teaches
- The weaker hawk gave up the meat that had brought him into danger and experienced happiness.
- Incited by the modes of nature, birds attack others for food. We should give up the envious tendency to commit violence against others.
- Through Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one sees every living entity as equal to oneself. On this platform of actual happiness, one envies no one and sees no one as an enemy.
Try this today
When envy arises today, pause and consciously regard the other living being as equal to yourself.
Ask yourself
How might seeing another living being as equal to myself change my response to them?
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.