Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.15.21
Ūti· What drives us to actPride Cannot Tolerate Another’s Power
“Because Kārtavīryārjuna made the water flow in the opposite direction, the camp of Rāvaṇa, which was set up on the bank of the Narmadā near the city of Māhiṣmatī, was inundated. This was unbearable to the ten-headed Rāvaṇa, who considered himself a great hero and could not tolerate Kārtavīryārjuna’s power.”
What the purport teaches
- Rāvaṇa was touring to gain victory over other countries. He had camped beside the Narmadā near Māhiṣmatī.
- Kārtavīryārjuna reversed the river’s flow, flooding Rāvaṇa’s camp.
- Rāvaṇa considered himself a great hero. He found Kārtavīryārjuna’s power unbearable.
Try this today
If someone outperforms you today, pause before reacting and notice whether pride is involved.
Ask yourself
How do I react when someone else’s strength challenges my opinion of myself?
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.