Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.15.24
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesHospitality Met With Envy
“The sage Jamadagni, who was engaged in great austerities in the forest, received the King very well, along with the King’s soldiers, ministers and carriers. He supplied all the necessities to worship these guests, for he possessed a kāmadhenu cow that was able to supply everything.”
What the purport teaches
- Jamadagni received the King and all his followers properly, feeding them sumptuously. His one kāmadhenu cow supplied everything needed.
- The purport explains that kāmadhenu cows are also called surabhi cows. Goloka Vṛndāvana, where Kṛṣṇa lives, is full of these cows.
- The King became envious of Jamadagni’s opulence, beginning his offense. The lesson is that unusual wealth does not protect someone who becomes proud and acts whimsically from punishment by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Try this today
Thank someone for their hospitality or generosity without comparing their resources with yours.
Ask yourself
When someone shares generously with me, do I feel gratitude or envy of what they possess?
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.