Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.9.19
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord Withholds Nectar from the Envious
“Demons are by nature crooked like snakes. Therefore, to distribute a share of the nectar to them was not at all feasible, since this would be as dangerous as supplying milk to a snake. Considering this, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who never falls down, did not deliver a share of nectar to the demons.”
What the purport teaches
- Giving nectar to the demons would be as dangerous as supplying milk to a snake because they were crooked by nature.
- The purport explains that a snake can be controlled by mantras, herbs and drugs, but an envious and crooked person cannot be controlled by such means.
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who never falls down, therefore considered it unwise to give the demons nectar.
Try this today
Before offering help in one situation today, consider whether it will support good conduct or enable harm.
Ask yourself
Do I consider whether giving someone more power could enable harm?
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.