Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.13.16
Ūti· What drives us to actPower and Opulence Can Blind Judgment
“As long as King Indra lived in the water, wrapped in the stem of the lotus, Nahuṣa was equipped with the ability to rule the heavenly kingdom, due to his knowledge, austerity and mystic power. Nahuṣa, however, blinded and maddened by power and opulence, made undesirable proposals to Indra’s wife with a desire to enjoy her. Thus Nahuṣa was cursed by a brāhmaṇa and later became a snake.”
What the purport teaches
- While Indra remained in the lotus stem, Nahuṣa ruled the heavenly kingdom. His knowledge, austerity and mystic power equipped him to rule.
- Power and opulence nevertheless blinded and maddened Nahuṣa. Desiring to enjoy Indra’s wife, he made undesirable proposals to her.
- Nahuṣa was cursed by a brāhmaṇa and later became a snake. His qualifications did not prevent his downfall when his judgment became blinded.
Try this today
In one interaction today, consciously set aside any sense of entitlement and respect the other person’s boundaries.
Ask yourself
Do my abilities or advantages ever make me feel entitled to disregard others?
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.