Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.4.28
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionCarefully Guard Against Offending Devotees
“When Hiraṇyakaśipu teases the great devotee Prahlāda, his own son, who is peaceful and sober and who has no enemy, I shall kill Hiraṇyakaśipu immediately, despite the benedictions of Brahmā.”
What the purport teaches
- An offense to a pure devotee, or Vaiṣṇava, is the most severe sinful activity. Like a mad elephant destroying a garden, it can uproot one's auspicious activities.
- Prahlāda Mahārāja was peaceful and had no enemies. A devotee does not create enmity with anyone.
- The Lord declared that Brahmā's benedictions would not protect Hiraṇyakaśipu if he harmed Prahlāda. Wealth, education, beauty and long life cannot protect someone who offends a Vaiṣṇava.
Try this today
Before speaking about a devotee today, pause and avoid words that express hostility or disrespect.
Ask yourself
How can I be more careful and respectful in the way I speak about devotees?
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.