Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.1.14
Ūti· What drives us to actBad Association Turns Counsel Into Anger
“While speaking thus, Vidura, whose personal character was esteemed by respectable persons, was insulted by Duryodhana, who was swollen with anger and whose lips were trembling. Duryodhana was in company with Karṇa, his younger brothers and his maternal uncle Śakuni.”
What the purport teaches
- Good counsel can make a foolish person angry rather than grateful. The purport compares this to milk increasing a snake’s venom.
- Vidura’s character was honored by respectable persons. Duryodhana nevertheless dared to insult him.
- Duryodhana’s bad association with Śakuni and Karṇa encouraged his wicked actions. Their influence helped him reject worthy advice.
Try this today
When offered helpful correction today, pause and consider it before answering.
Ask yourself
Do my companions help me accept good advice or encourage me to resist it?
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.