Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.20.20
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Truth Is Publicly Confirmed
“When the King refused to accept his wife and son, who were both irreproachable, an unembodied voice spoke from the sky as an omen and was heard by everyone present.”
What the purport teaches
- Duṣmanta knew that Śakuntalā and the boy were his wife and son. He initially refused to accept them because they were unknown to the citizens.
- Śakuntalā and her son were irreproachable. Because of her chastity, an unembodied voice from the sky declared the truth for everyone to hear.
- When the omen confirmed their identity publicly, the King gladly accepted his wife and son.
Try this today
Before judging someone today, pause to distinguish what you know from what you merely assume.
Ask yourself
How carefully do I distinguish someone's true character from how unfamiliar they are to others?
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.