Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.26.22
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyReceive Helpful Correction Without Anger
“My dear slender maiden, when a master chastises his servant, the servant should accept this as great mercy. One who becomes angry must be very foolish not to know that such is the duty of his friend.”
What the purport teaches
- The translation presents a master's chastisement of a servant as mercy and the duty of a friend.
- The purport explains that a foolish person may become angry even when given very good instruction. Instead of correcting himself, he rejects the help.
- Such anger is compared to a serpent whose poison increases when it is fed nourishing food. Good instruction benefits us when we accept it and rectify ourselves.
Try this today
Recall one helpful correction you have received, and make one small change in response.
Ask yourself
When someone gives me helpful correction, do I consider it carefully or immediately become angry?
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.