Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.17.11
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesPārvatī Challenges Assumed Authority
“The goddess Pārvatī said: Alas, has this upstart now received a post from which to punish shameless persons like us? Has he been appointed ruler, carrier of the rod of punishment? Is he now the only master of everything?”
What the purport teaches
- Pārvatī challenged Citraketu by asking whether he had received a position from which to punish others.
- Her questions disputed his assumed role as ruler and carrier of the rod of punishment.
- By asking whether he was now the only master of everything, she challenged the authority implied by his criticism.
Try this today
Before correcting someone today, pause and ask whether doing so is actually your responsibility.
Ask yourself
Do you sometimes speak as though you have authority to correct everyone?
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.