Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.18.22
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord Provides; Association Shapes Character
“Thereafter cobras and snakes without hoods, large snakes, scorpions and many other poisonous animals took poison out of the planet earth as their milk and kept this poison in snake holes. They made a calf out of Takṣaka.”
What the purport teaches
- Even snakes, scorpions and other poisonous animals receive their sustenance by the arrangement of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Everyone takes food from the earth.
- According to one's association with the modes of material nature, one develops a particular character. Milk given to a serpent simply increases its venom.
- Milk supplied to a sage or saint helps develop finer brain tissues for contemplating higher, spiritual life. The Lord supplies food, but the living entity's association shapes how it is used.
Try this today
Spend a few minutes today reading this purport carefully as a small choice of spiritual association.
Ask yourself
How is my present association helping or hindering my contemplation of 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.