Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.30.13
Visarga· Brahmā's creationEnvy Disturbs Others’ Spiritual Efforts
“O sons of King Prācīnabarhiṣat, the heavenly society girl named Pramlocā kept the lotus-eyed daughter of Kaṇḍu in the care of the forest trees. Then she went back to the heavenly planet. This daughter was born by the coupling of the Apsarā named Pramlocā with the sage Kaṇḍu.”
What the purport teaches
- Although the demigods hold responsible posts through pious activities, they are ordinary living entities. Indra became afraid and envious when Kaṇḍu performed severe austerities for material power.
- The purport describes the material world as filled with envy and competition with the opulence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such envy makes people afraid of one another.
- Indra sent Pramlocā to break Kaṇḍu’s austerities, and Kaṇḍu became attracted to her. After their daughter was born, Pramlocā returned to heaven, and the trees accepted the child.
Try this today
If envy arises today, pause and refrain from saying or doing anything that would obstruct the other person.
Ask yourself
Does another person’s progress make me glad, or does it make me fear losing my own position?
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.