Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.18.71
Ūti· What drives us to actDevotional Worship Fosters Truthfulness
“Indra replied: My dear mother, because I was grossly blinded by selfish interests, I lost sight of religion. When I understood that you were observing a great vow in spiritual life, I wanted to find some fault in you. When I found such a fault, I entered your womb and cut the embryo to pieces.”
What the purport teaches
- Indra admitted that selfish interests had blinded him and made him lose sight of religion. He had sought a fault in Diti and then cut her embryo to pieces.
- Diti and Indra freely explained their intentions instead of remaining enemies. The purport identifies this truthfulness as a qualification resulting from contact with Viṣṇu.
- When one develops a devotional attitude and becomes purified by worshiping the Supreme Lord, all good qualities manifest. Both Diti and Indra were purified through the influence of worship of Viṣṇu.
Try this today
In one conversation today, acknowledge your own mistake or selfish motive without making excuses.
Ask yourself
Where might selfish interest be keeping me from honestly admitting 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.