Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.23.22
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesUnderstanding Another Person's Uneasiness
“When he saw Devahūti looking at the gigantic opulent palace with a displeased heart, Kardama Muni could understand her feelings because he could study the heart of anyone. Thus he personally addressed his wife as follows.”
What the purport teaches
- Devahūti had spent a long time in the hermitage without taking much care of her body. She was covered with dirt and wore poor clothing.
- Seeing the opulent palace, she wondered how she could live there in her present condition. Its grandeur did not make her heart feel pleased.
- Kardama Muni could understand the heart of anyone. Understanding his wife's feelings, he personally spoke to her.
Try this today
Ask someone who seems uneasy what is troubling them, and listen before offering advice.
Ask yourself
When someone seems displeased, do you pause to consider what may be troubling them?
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.