Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.13.42
Ūti· What drives us to actReform Cannot Always Be Forced
“After seeing the cruel and merciless behavior of his son, Vena, King Aṅga punished him in different ways to reform him, but was unable to bring him to the path of gentleness. He thus became greatly aggrieved.”
What the purport teaches
- King Aṅga observed the cruel and merciless behavior of his son, Vena.
- He punished Vena in different ways with the aim of reforming him. Yet he could not bring his son to the path of gentleness.
- The failure of these efforts left the King greatly aggrieved.
Try this today
If you need to correct someone today, pause first and clearly identify the gentle behavior you hope to encourage.
Ask yourself
When I correct someone, is gentleness the change I truly hope to encourage?
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.