Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.3.37-38
Ūti· What drives us to actThe Lord’s Mercy Gives Lasting Power
“Grant me that I not meet death from any entity, living or nonliving. Grant me, further, that I not be killed by any demigod or demon or by any great snake from the lower planets. Since no one can kill you in the battlefield, you have no competitor. Therefore, grant me the benediction that I too may have no rival. Give me sole lordship over all the living entities and presiding deities, and give me all the glories obtained by that position. Furthermore, give me all the mystic powers attained by long austerities and the practice of yoga, for these cannot be lost at any time.”
What the purport teaches
- Hiraṇyakaśipu requested protection from living and nonliving entities, demigods, demons and great snakes. He also wanted no rival and sole lordship over living entities and presiding deities.
- Lord Brahmā had obtained his supreme position through long austerities, penances, mystic yoga and meditation. Hiraṇyakaśipu wanted a similar position, with its glories and powers.
- Ordinary powers gained through mystic yoga, austerities and other processes may be vanquished. Powers obtained by the Lord’s mercy are never vanquished, so Hiraṇyakaśipu wanted a benediction that would never be lost.
Try this today
Pause today to acknowledge the Lord’s mercy rather than taking sole credit for your abilities.
Ask yourself
What difference does the purport draw between powers gained through effort and powers obtained by the Lord’s mercy?
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.