Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.3.31
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionSeek Mercy Without Taking Offense
“After understanding the awkward condition of Gajendra, who had offered his prayers, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, who lives everywhere, appeared with the demigods, who were offering prayers to Him. Carrying His disc and other weapons, He appeared there on the back of His carrier, Garuḍa, with great speed, according to His desire. Thus He appeared before Gajendra.”
What the purport teaches
- Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead who lives everywhere, understood Gajendra’s distress and heard his prayers. He came swiftly on Garuḍa, carrying His disc and other weapons.
- The purport explains that the demigods hesitated because Gajendra’s prayer was directed toward the Lord. Their feeling offended was itself an offense.
- When the Lord went to Gajendra, the demigods accompanied Him and offered prayers. They did so that their offense might be excused.
Try this today
Reflect on one moment of feeling overlooked, and offer a prayer asking the Lord to excuse any offense in your response.
Ask yourself
Do I ever feel offended when someone gives attention or honor to another rather than to me?
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.