Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 2.7.25
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord’s Protection Surpasses All Strength
“When Rāvaṇa was engaged in the battle, the trunk of the elephant which carried the King of heaven, Indra, broke in pieces, having collided with the chest of Rāvaṇa, and the scattered broken parts illuminated all directions. Rāvaṇa therefore felt proud of his prowess and began to loiter in the midst of the fighting soldiers, thinking himself the conqueror of all directions. But his laughter, overtaken by joy, along with his very air of life, suddenly ceased with the tingling sound of the bow of Rāmacandra, the Personality of Godhead.”
What the purport teaches
- Rāvaṇa felt proud of his strength and thought himself the conqueror of all directions. Yet his laughter and life ceased at the sound of Rāmacandra’s bow.
- However powerful a living being may be, no one can save him when he is condemned by God.
- However weak a living being may be, no one can annihilate him if he is protected by the Lord.
Try this today
Offer a brief prayer asking for the Lord’s protection rather than relying proudly on your own strength.
Ask yourself
Where do I place my confidence: in my own strength or in the Lord’s protection?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.