Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.17.16
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionHonor the Protection of Brāhmaṇas
“O mother of the demigods, in My opinion almost all the chiefs of the demons are now unconquerable, for they are being protected by brāhmaṇas, whom the Supreme Lord always favors. Thus the use of power against them now will not at all be a source of happiness.”
What the purport teaches
- Almost all the demon chiefs are now unconquerable because brāhmaṇas protect them. Using force against them would not bring happiness.
- The purport explains that no one can defeat a person favored by brāhmaṇas and Vaiṣṇavas.
- The Lord’s first inclination is to bless the cows and brāhmaṇas. He does not interfere when someone is protected by a brāhmaṇa.
Try this today
Pause before trying to force an outcome today, and recall the Lord’s warning that power does not always bring happiness.
Ask yourself
What does the Lord’s respect for brāhmaṇas teach you about relying on power alone?
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.