Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.7.19
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionLord Viṣṇu Gives Lord Śiva Credit
“O King, when that uncontrollable poison was forcefully spreading up and down in all directions, all the demigods, along with the Lord Himself, approached Lord Śiva [Sadāśiva]. Feeling unsheltered and very much afraid, they sought shelter of him.”
What the purport teaches
- The uncontrollable poison spread forcefully upward, downward and in every direction. Feeling afraid and unsheltered, the demigods approached Lord Śiva along with the Lord Himself.
- Lord Viṣṇu was fully competent to rectify the situation. His not intervening did not mean that He lacked power.
- Lord Viṣṇu refrained from acting in order to give credit to Lord Śiva. Lord Śiva later drank the poison and kept it in his neck.
Try this today
Give someone sincere credit today for a helpful action they have taken.
Ask yourself
How does Lord Viṣṇu’s wish to give Lord Śiva credit deepen your appreciation of His actions?
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.