Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.14.26-27
Ūti· What drives us to actFalse Pride Claims the Supreme Position
“Lord Viṣṇu; Lord Brahmā; Lord Śiva; Lord Indra; Vāyu, the master of air; Yama, the superintendent of death; the sun-god; the director of rainfall; Kuvera, the treasurer; the moon-god; the predominating deity of the earth; Agni, the fire-god; Varuṇa, the lord of waters; and all others who are great and competent to bestow benedictions or to curse — all abide in the body of the king. For this reason the king is known as the reservoir of all demigods, who are simply parts and parcels of the king’s body.”
What the purport teaches
- King Vena claimed that Lord Viṣṇu and all the listed deities abide in the king's body. He presented the king as their reservoir.
- Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that false pride leads demons to think themselves supreme and claim control over the sun, moon, and other planets.
- Vena developed this demonic mentality and presented himself as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Great sages and saintly persons condemn such claims.
Try this today
Acknowledge one limit of your own power today instead of exaggerating your importance.
Ask yourself
Where do you notice the wish to appear greater or more powerful than you are?
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.