Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.10.22
Ūti· What drives us to actReligion Means Following the Lord’s Orders
“Lord Rāmacandra said to Rāvaṇa: You are the most abominable of the man-eaters. Indeed, you are like their stool. You resemble a dog, for as a dog steals eatables from the kitchen in the absence of the householder, in My absence you kidnapped My wife, Sītādevī. Therefore as Yamarāja punishes sinful men, I shall also punish you. You are most abominable, sinful and shameless. Today, therefore, I, whose attempt never fails, shall punish you.”
What the purport teaches
- No one can surpass the strength of the Supreme Lord. Lord Rāmacandra declared that His attempt to punish Rāvaṇa would not fail.
- Rāvaṇa acted as though there were no supreme ruler or controller. Kidnapping mother Sītā, the pleasure potency of Rāmacandra, brought him ruin.
- Religion consists of the orders of the Supreme Lord. Carrying out His orders is religious, while disregarding them brings punishment.
Try this today
Before one decision today, pause and consider whether it respects the Lord’s authority.
Ask yourself
Where do I act as though I am independent of the Supreme Lord?
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.