Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.1.66
Nirodha· Winding upThe Harm of Unnecessary Criticism
“The reason is that Satī’s father, Dakṣa, used to rebuke Lord Śiva in spite of Śiva’s faultlessness. Consequently, before attaining a mature age, Satī gave up her body by dint of yogic mystic power.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Śiva, the head of all mystic yogīs, never even constructed a home for his residence. Dakṣa was dissatisfied that his youngest daughter, Satī, had chosen him as her husband.
- Whenever Satī met her father, he unnecessarily criticized her husband, although Lord Śiva was faultless.
- Because of this, Satī gave up the body received from her father by yogic mystic power before reaching a mature age. This explains why she had no child.
Try this today
Before making a critical remark today, pause and consider whether it is unfair or unnecessary.
Ask yourself
Am I allowing personal dissatisfaction to lead me into unfair criticism of someone?
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.