Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.18.17
Ūti· What drives us to actAnger Can Turn Words Into Harm
“Using such unkind words, Śarmiṣṭhā rebuked Devayānī, the daughter of Śukrācārya. In anger, she took away Devayānī’s garments and threw Devayānī into a well.”
What the purport teaches
- Śarmiṣṭhā rebuked Devayānī, the daughter of Śukrācārya, with unkind words.
- In anger, she took away Devayānī's garments.
- She then threw Devayānī into a well. Her anger had moved from harsh speech to physical harm.
Try this today
If a quarrel begins today, stop speaking and step away safely before acting in anger.
Ask yourself
How can I stop an angry exchange before it becomes more harmful?
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.