Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.8.14
Ūti· What drives us to actAnger Turns Strength Toward Cruelty
“Being obsessed with anger, Hiraṇyakaśipu, who was very great in bodily strength, thus chastised his exalted devotee-son Prahlāda with harsh words. Cursing him again and again, Hiraṇyakaśipu took up his sword, got up from his royal throne, and with great anger struck his fist against the column.”
What the purport teaches
- Hiraṇyakaśipu possessed great bodily strength, yet he was obsessed with anger.
- He repeatedly cursed and harshly chastised Prahlāda, his own son and an exalted devotee.
- Taking up his sword, Hiraṇyakaśipu rose from his royal throne and struck the column with his fist. His anger expressed itself in both words and actions.
Try this today
If anger arises today, pause before speaking and choose not to use harsh words.
Ask yourself
When I become angry, how does it affect my words toward 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.