Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.2.8
Ūti· What drives us to actExpected Honor Can Give Rise to Anger
“Before taking his seat, however, Dakṣa was very much offended to see Lord Śiva sitting and not showing him any respect. At that time, Dakṣa became greatly angry, and, his eyes glowing, he began to speak very strongly against Lord Śiva.”
What the purport teaches
- Dakṣa expected Lord Śiva, his son-in-law, to stand and show him respect. Yet Lord Brahmā and Lord Śiva held positions greater than Dakṣa’s.
- Dakṣa could not tolerate Lord Śiva remaining seated and took it as an insult. With eyes glowing in anger, he began speaking strongly against him.
- Dakṣa had already been dissatisfied with Lord Śiva because he looked very poor and dressed very simply.
Try this today
If you feel overlooked today, pause before speaking and examine what respect you were expecting.
Ask yourself
Do expectations of honor or judgments about appearance make me quick to take offense?
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.