Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.8.11
Ūti· What drives us to actReceive Devotional Instruction Without Anger
“Hiraṇyakaśipu replied: You rascal, you are trying to minimize my value, as if you were better than me at controlling the senses. This is over-intelligent. I can therefore understand that you desire to die at my hands, for this kind of nonsensical talk is indulged in by those about to die.”
What the purport teaches
- A foolish person may become angry rather than benefit from good instruction. Hiraṇyakaśipu rejected Prahlāda’s authorized teaching and became increasingly angry.
- Devotees encounter such difficulty when teaching Kṛṣṇa consciousness to those attached to money and sensual enjoyment. Hiraṇyakaśipu resented receiving instruction from his own son.
- Prahlāda’s preaching was nevertheless indirectly effective: Hiraṇyakaśipu’s jealousy hastened his death at the hands of Nṛsiṁhadeva. Having such a great devotee son was his good fortune, and he would return home, back to Godhead.
Try this today
Reread one devotional instruction you find challenging, and write down what you can learn from it before judging it.
Ask yourself
When sound devotional instruction challenges me, do I consider its truth or react with resentment?
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.