Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.21.11
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesCompassion Speaks Words Like Nectar
“Aggrieved at hearing the pitiable words of the poor fatigued caṇḍāla, Mahārāja Rantideva spoke the following nectarean words.”
What the purport teaches
- Rantideva heard the pitiable words of the poor, fatigued caṇḍāla. He was deeply aggrieved by the man’s suffering.
- The King’s response was like amṛta, or nectar.
- Besides rendering bodily service to a distressed person, Rantideva could save the life of a hearer by his words alone. The purport emphasizes the power of his nectarean speech.
Try this today
Listen carefully to someone who is struggling, then offer a gentle word of support.
Ask yourself
Are my words to a distressed person attentive and compassionate?
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.