Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.5.12
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesA Great Soul Shows Devotional Qualities
“While all the people talked amongst themselves, Dakṣa saw dangerous omens from all sides, from the earth and from the sky.”
What the purport teaches
- Dakṣa remained unshaken even when his beloved daughter was prepared to give up her life. Yet the dangerous disturbances now troubled him.
- The word mahātmā is used sarcastically for Dakṣa. A person without the qualities of a great soul should not be considered one merely because of a title.
- A true mahātmā is a pure devotee under the guidance of the internal energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Dakṣa’s misbehavior showed that he lacked the good qualities expected of such a devotee.
Try this today
Choose one interaction today in which to show kindness rather than seek recognition.
Ask yourself
Am I more concerned with being regarded as devotional or with showing a devotee’s good qualities?
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.