Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.24.5
Visarga· Brahmā's creationDo Not Reduce Devotees to Their Faults
“Mahārāja Antardhāna had another wife, named Nabhasvatī, and by her he was happy to beget another son, named Havirdhāna. Since Mahārāja Antardhāna was very liberal, he did not kill Indra while the demigod was stealing his father’s horse at the sacrifice.”
What the purport teaches
- Mahārāja Antardhāna and Nabhasvatī had a son named Havirdhāna. Antardhāna was liberal and did not kill Indra even though he knew Indra was stealing the horse.
- The purport cites the Lord’s teaching that even a devotee who commits an abominable act should be considered a sādhu because of unflinching devotion to Him.
- Devotees never willingly commit sinful acts, though previous habits may sometimes cause a lapse. The purport asks that such accidental faults be overlooked rather than made the measure of their devotion.
Try this today
Refrain today from repeating gossip about a devotee’s lapse, and remember their sincere service instead.
Ask yourself
Do I judge a devotee only by a fault, or also recognize their sincere devotion?
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.