Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.3.11
Ūti· What drives us to actPride Seeks to Overturn Established Principles
“By dint of my severe austerities, I shall reverse the results of pious and impious activities. I shall overturn all the established practices within this world. Even Dhruvaloka will be vanquished at the end of the millennium. Therefore, what is the use of it? I shall prefer to remain in the position of Brahmā.”
What the purport teaches
- Hiraṇyakaśipu wanted to reverse the results of pious and impious activities and overturn established principles.
- He wanted harassment and unhappiness to extend even to the heavenly planets. His intention was to introduce such suffering everywhere.
- Proud of his tapasya, he declared that he could do everything and even wanted to make the Vaiṣṇavas’ position insecure. The purport identifies these as symptoms of asuric determination.
Try this today
Notice one urge to impose your will today, and refrain from an action that would cause someone unnecessary distress.
Ask yourself
Does my determination ever become a wish to control or trouble others?
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.