Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.2.9
Ūti· What drives us to actEnvy Can Hide Behind Polite Claims
“All sages, brāhmaṇas and fire-gods present, please hear me with attention, for I speak about the manners of gentle persons. I do not speak out of ignorance or envy.”
What the purport teaches
- Dakṣa presented his speech as a discussion of gentle manners, hoping to pacify the assembly.
- He knew he was speaking against Lord Śiva despite Śiva’s spotless character. The assembly did not want even unmannerly people to be offended.
- Dakṣa was envious from the beginning but could not recognize his own envy. He tried to cover his ignorant speech by claiming that he spoke without ignorance or envy.
Try this today
Before making one criticism today, quietly check whether envy is influencing it.
Ask yourself
When I criticize someone, could envy be shaping words I consider reasonable?
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.