Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.10.9
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesAppreciate Prowess Even in an Enemy
“When the heroes of the Yakṣas saw that all their heads were being thus threatened by Dhruva Mahārāja, they could very easily understand their awkward position, and they concluded that they would certainly be defeated. But, as heroes, they lauded the action of Dhruva.”
What the purport teaches
- With their heads threatened by Dhruva Mahārāja’s arrows, the Yakṣa heroes understood their difficult position. They concluded that they would certainly be defeated.
- Although Dhruva Mahārāja was their enemy and had severely attacked them, they praised his wonderful, heroic actions.
- The purport calls this a sporting attitude in fighting. Straightforward appreciation of an enemy’s prowess is a characteristic of real kṣatriya spirit.
Try this today
Acknowledge one genuine ability in someone with whom you disagree.
Ask yourself
Can I honestly appreciate someone’s ability even when that person opposes me?
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.