Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.18.58
Ūti· What drives us to actOutward Friendliness May Hide Deceit
“O King Parīkṣit, as the hunter of a deer becomes like a deer by covering his body with deerskin and serving the deer, so Indra, although at heart the enemy of the sons of Diti, became outwardly friendly and served Diti in a faithful way. Indra’s purpose was to cheat Diti as soon as he could find some fault in the way she discharged the vows of the ritualistic ceremony. However, he wanted to be undetected, and therefore he served her very carefully.”
What the purport teaches
- Indra was outwardly friendly, although at heart he was the enemy of Diti’s sons.
- His behavior is compared to a deer hunter who wears deerskin and serves the deer.
- He served Diti carefully to remain undetected while looking for a fault in her observance of the vows.
Try this today
Examine one interaction today and set aside any intention to exploit the other person’s mistake.
Ask yourself
Do my friendly actions honestly reflect my intentions?
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.