Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.9.21
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionSweet Words Conceal the Lord’s Intention
“Taking the container of nectar in Her hands, She first approached the demons, satisfied them with sweet words and thus cheated them of their share of the nectar. Then She administered the nectar to the demigods, who were sitting at a distant place, to make them free from invalidity, old age and death.”
What the purport teaches
- Mohinī-mūrti approached the demons and spoke graciously. They thought themselves fortunate to speak with Her.
- Seeing the demigods seated far away, the demons expected to receive all the nectar. The Lord’s intention, however, was to give it only to the demigods.
- She gave the demigods the nectar to free them from invalidity, old age and death, while cheating the demons through sweet words.
Try this today
Identify one assumption you have made from someone’s pleasing words, and distinguish it from what was actually promised.
Ask yourself
Do I mistake pleasing treatment for a promise that my desires will be fulfilled?
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.