Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.10.24
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesProtect Devotion by Seeking Forgiveness
“Whatever you have spoken appears to me to be contradictory. O best friend of the distressed, I have committed a great offense by insulting you. I was puffed up with false prestige due to possessing the body of a king. For this I have certainly become an offender. Therefore I pray that you kindly glance at me with your causeless mercy. If you do so, I can be relieved from sinful activities brought about by insulting you.”
What the purport teaches
- Offending a Vaiṣṇava can destroy spiritual progress, just as a mad elephant destroys a carefully cultivated garden.
- False prestige led King Rahūgaṇa to insult Jaḍa Bharata. Recognizing his offense, he showed good sense by asking to be excused.
- Kṛṣṇa is by nature merciful. If one offends a Vaiṣṇava, one must immediately apologize to that person so that spiritual advancement is not hampered.
Try this today
If you have offended a devotee, offer a sincere apology today without defending your behavior.
Ask yourself
Has pride led me to speak disrespectfully to a devotee?
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.