Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.8.14
Ūti· What drives us to actHarsh Words Stir Deep Anger
“The sage Maitreya continued: My dear Vidura, as a snake, when struck by a stick, breathes very heavily, Dhruva Mahārāja, having been struck by the strong words of his stepmother, began to breathe very heavily because of great anger. When he saw that his father was silent and did not protest, he immediately left the palace and went to his mother.”
What the purport teaches
- Dhruva Mahārāja was deeply struck by his stepmother’s strong words.
- His anger made him breathe heavily, like a snake struck by a stick.
- Seeing that his father remained silent and did not protest, he left the palace and went to his mother.
Try this today
If hurtful words stir anger today, step away from the exchange and seek someone caring.
Ask yourself
How do harsh words and another person’s silence affect me?
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.