Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.5.15-16
Ūti· What drives us to actDo Not Let Wealth Blind You
“Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When the asuras, with their serpent weapons, severely attacked the demigods in a fight, many of the demigods fell and lost their lives. Indeed, they could not be revived. At that time, O King, the demigods had been cursed by Durvāsā Muni, the three worlds were poverty-stricken, and therefore ritualistic ceremonies could not be performed. The effects of this were very serious.”
What the purport teaches
- Attacked by the asuras and afflicted by Durvāsā Muni’s curse, the demigods lost their material opulences. Poverty in the three worlds prevented ritualistic ceremonies.
- Indra was too puffed up to receive Durvāsā Muni’s garland respectfully. His insulting behavior brought the curse upon him.
- Too much wealth can make one blind and lead to offenses against devotees and great saints. A materially opulent person should remain sober and well-behaved toward Vaiṣṇavas and saintly persons.
Try this today
Offer a sincere word of respect or thanks to a devotee or saintly person, without mentioning your own achievements.
Ask yourself
Do your possessions or achievements ever make you less respectful toward others?
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.