Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.24.36
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesFear of Criticism Brings Painful Separation
“Because Kuntī feared people’s criticisms, with great difficulty she had to give up her affection for her child. Unwillingly, she packed the child in a basket and let it float down the waters of the river. O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, your great-grandfather the pious and chivalrous King Pāṇḍu later married Kuntī.”
What the purport teaches
- Kuntī feared people’s criticism and found it very difficult to give up her affection for her child.
- Unwillingly, she placed the child in a basket and let it float down the river.
- Later, the pious and chivalrous King Pāṇḍu, Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s great-grandfather, married Kuntī.
Try this today
Pause before making a critical remark today, remembering the distress caused by fear of criticism.
Ask yourself
How does Kuntī’s unwillingness help you understand the pain behind her action?
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.