Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.6.41
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesA Smile Can Conceal Concern
“All the sages who were sitting with Lord Śiva, such as Nārada and others, also offered their respectful obeisances to Lord Brahmā. After being so worshiped, Lord Brahmā, smiling, began to speak to Lord Śiva.”
What the purport teaches
- Nārada and the other sages sitting with Lord Śiva also offered respectful obeisances to Lord Brahmā.
- Brahmā knew that Lord Śiva was easily satisfied but also easily irritated. He feared that Śiva might be angry after losing his wife and being insulted by Dakṣa.
- After receiving their respects, Brahmā smiled and began speaking to Lord Śiva. His smile concealed his fear.
Try this today
Before one conversation today, pause to consider whether the other person may be carrying grief or hurt.
Ask yourself
How might remembering someone’s grief or hurt affect the way you approach a conversation?
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.