Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.7.13
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionRecognizing Mercy in Correction
“King Dakṣa said: My dear Lord Śiva, I committed a great offense against you, but you are so kind that instead of withdrawing your mercy, you have done me a great favor by punishing me. You and Lord Viṣṇu never neglect even useless, unqualified brāhmaṇas. Why, then, should you neglect me, who am engaged in performing sacrifices?”
What the purport teaches
- Dakṣa understood that Lord Śiva had punished him not as an enemy, but to bring him to his senses. He acknowledged this as great mercy.
- A brahma-bandhu is born in a brāhmaṇa family but does not act according to brahminical standards. Dakṣa admitted that his treatment of Lord Śiva showed this failing.
- Lord Śiva and Lord Viṣṇu are affectionate even toward imperfect brāhmaṇas. Though fallen, Dakṣa remained committed to performing the sacrifice and began his prayers.
Try this today
Write down one mistake you recognize and one concrete step you can take to correct it.
Ask yourself
Can you acknowledge a fault without overlooking the mercy that helps you correct it?
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.