Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.8.67
Ūti· What drives us to actDo Not Withhold Loving Affection
“Alas, just see how I was conquered by my wife! Just imagine my cruelty! Out of love and affection the boy was trying to get up on my lap, but I did not receive him, nor did I even pat him for a moment. Just imagine how hardhearted I am.”
What the purport teaches
- The King lamented that he had been conquered by his wife and had acted cruelly.
- His son had tried to climb onto his lap out of love and affection, but the King had not welcomed him.
- He regretted not even patting the boy for a moment and openly acknowledged his own hardheartedness.
Try this today
Give someone close to you a moment of warm, undivided attention today.
Ask yourself
Have I overlooked a simple, sincere request for affection?
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.