Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.2.1
Ūti· What drives us to actGentleness Means Freedom from Envy
“Vidura inquired: Why was Dakṣa, who was so affectionate towards his daughter, envious of Lord Śiva, who is the best among the gentle? Why did he neglect his daughter Satī?”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Śiva is the best among the gentle because he is not envious of anyone and is equal to all living entities.
- The word śiva means “all-auspicious.” Lord Śiva is peaceful, renounced and detached from worldly things, living beneath a tree rather than building a house.
- Vidura asks why Dakṣa became so hostile toward such a gentle personality. This hostility also meant neglecting his beloved daughter Satī.
Try this today
In one interaction today, make a conscious effort to treat the other person gently, without envy.
Ask yourself
How might envy interfere with my affection for others?
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.