Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.29.23
Ūti· What drives us to actFreedom From Envy Brings Peace
“One who offers Me respect but is envious of the bodies of others and is therefore a separatist never attains peace of mind, because of his inimical behavior towards other living entities.”
What the purport teaches
- Offering respect to the Lord while remaining envious or hostile toward other living beings does not bring peace of mind. A devotee looks beyond bodily distinctions to see the soul and the Supersoul.
- The Lord desires to deliver conditioned souls, and devotees carry His message by enlightening others in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Distributing prasāda, food offered to the Lord, gives both people and animals an opportunity for spiritual elevation.
- A devotee must avoid violence and must not disturb a living entity’s gradual spiritual evolution. Faithful devotional service includes recognizing the Lord’s presence within even the smallest living being.
Try this today
When an envious thought arises today, pause and remember that the other person is part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, with the Supersoul present within.
Ask yourself
Is envy or a bodily distinction preventing me from seeing someone as a soul with the Lord present within?
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.