Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.7.33
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDo Not Misjudge Lord Śiva
“Exalted, self-satisfied persons who preach to the entire world think of your lotus feet constantly within their hearts. However, when persons who do not know your austerity see you moving with Umā, they misunderstand you to be lusty, or when they see you wandering in the crematorium they mistakenly think that you are ferocious and envious. Certainly they are shameless. They cannot understand your activities.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Śiva is the topmost Vaiṣṇava. Even the most intelligent person cannot fully understand how such a Vaiṣṇava acts.
- People who do not know his austerity misjudge his association with Umā and his wandering in the crematorium. Their judgments do not reveal his transcendental position.
- Those conquered by lusty desires and anger cannot estimate Lord Śiva’s glories. The purport warns against criticizing his activities.
Try this today
Reread one description of Lord Śiva in this verse, pausing to acknowledge the limits of outward judgment.
Ask yourself
When might my own desires or anger lead me to misjudge a devotee?
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.