Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.2.22
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesMercy Allowed Animals to Live Without Fear
“By the mercy of this elephant, animals like the foxes, wolves, buffalos, bears, boars, gopucchas, porcupines, monkeys, rabbits, the other deer and many other small animals loitered elsewhere in the forest. They were not afraid of him.”
What the purport teaches
- By the elephant’s mercy, many animals could roam elsewhere in the forest without fear.
- All the animals were practically controlled by this elephant.
- Although they could move without fear, out of respect they did not stand before him.
Try this today
Show someone respect today through one small, considerate action.
Ask yourself
How does this verse distinguish respect from fear?
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.