Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.3.12
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSatī Appeals to Lord Śiva’s Kindness
“O never-born, O blue-throated one, not only my relatives but also other women, dressed in nice clothes and decorated with ornaments, are going there with their husbands and friends. Just see how their flocks of white airplanes have made the entire sky very beautiful.”
What the purport teaches
- Satī pointed to the many women traveling with their husbands and friends in white airplanes. Even people unrelated to her father were attending, strengthening her appeal to go.
- She addressed Lord Śiva as abhava, which the purport explains here may mean one who has never felt material miseries.
- Lord Śiva is called nīlakaṇṭha because he kept poison in his throat for others’ benefit, making it blue. Satī appealed to that same kindness in asking permission to visit her father’s house.
Try this today
Listen kindly to one person’s request today before giving your answer.
Ask yourself
How can concern for another person’s welfare shape my response to a request?
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.