Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.11.36
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesIndra Loses Confidence in His Weapon
“But now, although the same thunderbolt has been released against a less important demon, it has been ineffectual. Therefore, although it was as good as a brahmāstra, it has now become useless like an ordinary rod. I shall therefore hold it no longer.”
What the purport teaches
- Indra thought that his thunderbolt had become ineffectual against a less important demon.
- Although it had been as powerful as a brahmāstra, he now compared it to an ordinary, useless rod.
- Discouraged by its failure, Indra declared that he would hold the thunderbolt no longer.
Try this today
Before abandoning something that failed today, write down exactly what failed without making a sweeping judgment.
Ask yourself
Do I call something entirely useless after one unexpected failure?
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.