Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.10.25
Ūti· What drives us to actNever Take Offending Devotees Lightly
“O my dear lord, you are the friend of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the friend of all living entities. You are therefore equal to everyone, and you are free from the bodily conception. Although I have committed an offense by insulting you, I know that there is no loss or gain for you due to my insult. You are fixed in your determination, but I have committed an offense. Because of this, even though I may be as strong as Lord Śiva, I shall be vanquished without delay due to my offense at the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava.”
What the purport teaches
- Jaḍa Bharata was free from bodily identification and equal toward everyone. As a friend of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he remained undisturbed by the King’s insult.
- The devotee’s steadiness does not remove the offender’s responsibility. Mahārāja Rahūgaṇa understood the danger and was anxious to be excused.
- Even strength like Lord Śiva’s cannot protect someone who insults a Vaiṣṇava from spiritual downfall. Everyone should therefore be very cautious not to commit such an offense.
Try this today
Before speaking about a devotee today, pause and remove any insulting words from what you intend to say.
Ask yourself
Do I assume that insulting a devotee is harmless if that person does not seem disturbed?
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.