Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.17.7
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesWonder Without Considering Lord Śiva Insignificant
“Lord Śiva, whose hair is matted on his head, has certainly undergone great austerities and penances. Indeed, he is the president in the assembly of strict followers of Vedic principles. Nonetheless, he is seated with his wife on his lap in the midst of saintly persons and is embracing her as if he were a shameless, ordinary human being.”
What the purport teaches
- Citraketu appreciated Lord Śiva’s exalted position and his great austerities and penances.
- He was astonished to see Lord Śiva appearing to act like an ordinary human being among saintly persons.
- Unlike Dakṣa, Citraketu did not consider Lord Śiva insignificant. His criticism expressed wonder rather than the same offense committed by Dakṣa.
Try this today
Before voicing surprise about someone today, pause to acknowledge one quality you respect in them.
Ask yourself
When someone’s behavior surprises you, do you still recognize their good qualities and position?
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.