Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 12.6.16
Ūti· What drives us to actAnger Leads to a Mighty Snake Sacrifice
“Hearing that his father had been fatally bitten by the snake-bird, Mahārāja Janamejaya became extremely angry and had brāhmaṇas perform a mighty sacrifice in which he offered all the snakes in the world into the sacrificial fire.”
What the purport teaches
- Mahārāja Janamejaya heard that his father had been fatally bitten by the snake-bird.
- He became extremely angry and had brāhmaṇas perform a mighty sacrifice.
- In that sacrifice, he offered all the snakes in the world into the sacrificial fire. His response extended beyond the snake that had bitten his father.
Try this today
Before acting on one irritation today, pause and consider who else your response might affect.
Ask yourself
When you are hurt, does your anger sometimes extend beyond the one who caused the hurt?
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.