Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.7.9
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRestraint in the Face of Disrespect
“Bṛhaspati knew everything that would happen in the future. Seeing Indra’s transgression of etiquette, he completely understood that Indra was puffed up by his material opulence. Although able to curse Indra, he did not do so. Instead, he left the assembly and in silence returned to his home.”
What the purport teaches
- Bṛhaspati understood that Indra’s failure to observe etiquette came from pride in material opulence.
- Bṛhaspati knew what would happen in the future and had the power to curse Indra.
- Rather than curse him, Bṛhaspati silently left the assembly and returned home.
Try this today
If you feel disrespected today, pause before speaking rather than immediately answering harshly.
Ask yourself
How might I show restraint when someone fails to respect me?
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.