Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.10.27
Ūti· What drives us to actRespect Others and Restrain Lust
“O greatly fortunate one, you came under the influence of lusty desires, and therefore you could not understand the influence of mother Sītā. Now, because of her curse, you have been reduced to this state, having been killed by Lord Rāmacandra.”
What the purport teaches
- Under the influence of lusty desires, Rāvaṇa failed to understand mother Sītā’s power. Mandodarī recognized that this had brought about his destruction.
- The purport presents Sītā, Mandodarī and Draupadī as ideal chaste women. Faithfulness and chastity enrich a woman with spiritual power.
- An intelligent person regards another’s wife as his mother and does not covet another’s possessions. A learned person treats other living beings as he would himself.
Try this today
In one interaction today, consciously treat the other person with the care you would want for yourself.
Ask yourself
How can I replace a selfish desire with respect for another person?
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.