Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.17.27
Ūti· What drives us to actMock Respect Conceals a Fighting Spirit
“Vibhāvarī is the home of Varuṇa, lord of the aquatic creatures and guardian of the lower regions of the universe, where the demons generally reside. There Hiraṇyākṣa fell at Varuṇa’s feet like a lowborn man, and to make fun of him he said with a smile, “Give me battle, O Supreme Lord!””
What the purport teaches
- Varuṇa is lord of the aquatic creatures and guardian of the lower regions, where demons generally reside.
- Hiraṇyākṣa fell at Varuṇa’s feet, but his purpose was mockery. Smiling, he demanded a battle.
- The demoniac person challenges others and tries to take their property by force. Hiraṇyākṣa displayed this challenging spirit by demanding war from someone who did not want to fight.
Try this today
Offer one sincere expression of respect today, without sarcasm or a hidden challenge.
Ask yourself
Are my respectful words sincere, or do they sometimes hide a wish to provoke?
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.