Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.14.10
Ūti· What drives us to actSupport Can Strengthen Harmful Conduct
“The sages began to think within themselves: Because he was born from the womb of Sunīthā, King Vena is by nature very mischievous. Supporting this mischievous king is exactly like maintaining a snake with milk. Now he has become a source of all difficulties.”
What the purport teaches
- The saintly persons supported Vena to protect the citizens from rogues and thieves. Instead, he became a source of trouble to them.
- The saints especially valued sacrifices and austerities for spiritual advancement. Rather than being grateful for their mercy, Vena became their enemy by forbidding these duties.
- The sages compared supporting Vena to maintaining a snake with milk. Such care strengthens the snake without removing its capacity to harm its maintainer.
Try this today
Review one commitment of your time or resources today, asking whether it supports spiritual progress or harmful conduct.
Ask yourself
Could any support I give be strengthening conduct that obstructs spiritual life?
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.