Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.20.18
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesResolve Rivalry Through Devotional Cooperation
“As King Indra was standing by, he became ashamed of his own activities and fell down before King Pṛthu to touch his lotus feet. But Pṛthu Mahārāja immediately embraced him in great ecstasy and gave up all envy against him for his having stolen the horse meant for the sacrifice.”
What the purport teaches
- Although powerful, Indra felt ashamed of stealing the sacrificial horse and sought forgiveness from Pṛthu Mahārāja. An offense at the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava is never excused by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Pṛthu Mahārāja did not let Indra fall at his feet, but immediately embraced him. Both gave up their anger and envy and forgot the past incidents.
- As servants of Lord Viṣṇu, they had a duty to resolve the cause of their envy. Their reconciliation shows how Kṛṣṇa consciousness makes cooperative behavior between Vaiṣṇavas possible.
Try this today
Take one small step toward resolving a disagreement today, such as offering a sincere apology.
Ask yourself
Where could I replace rivalry with a sincere effort to cooperate?
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.