Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.19.14
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesReligious Appearance Can Conceal Deception
“King Indra was fraudulently dressed as a sannyāsī, having knotted his hair on his head and smeared ashes all over his body. Upon seeing such dress, the son of King Pṛthu considered Indra a religious man and pious sannyāsī. Therefore he did not release his arrows.”
What the purport teaches
- Indra fraudulently dressed as a sannyāsī, with knotted hair and ashes smeared over his body.
- Seeing this appearance, Pṛthu’s son considered him a religious man and a pious sannyāsī.
- Because of this judgment, Pṛthu’s son did not release his arrows. Indra’s disguise concealed his deception.
Try this today
Reflect on one spiritual impression you have formed, and distinguish what you actually know from what appearance alone suggests.
Ask yourself
How much do outward signs influence my judgment of someone’s spiritual character?
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.