Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.21.13
Ūti· What drives us to actMistaking Opposition to the Lord for Duty
“Therefore it is our duty to kill this Vāmanadeva, Lord Viṣṇu. It is our religious principle and the way to serve our master.” After making this decision, the demoniac followers of Mahārāja Bali took up their various weapons with a view to killing Vāmanadeva.
What the purport teaches
- The demoniac followers of Mahārāja Bali decided that killing Vāmanadeva, Lord Viṣṇu, was their duty.
- They called this their religious principle and a way to serve their master.
- Acting on this decision, they took up various weapons against the Lord. Calling an action religious does not make it service to Him.
Try this today
Before one action today, pause and ask whether it expresses service to the Lord or opposition to Him.
Ask yourself
How can I examine whether what I call duty is truly service to the Lord?
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.