Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.6.49
Ūti· What drives us to actAvoid Offenses to Vaiṣṇavas
“Thereafter, one day while Saubhari Muni, who was expert in chanting mantras, was sitting in a secluded place, he thought to himself about the cause of his falldown, which was simply that he had associated himself with the sexual affairs of the fish.”
What the purport teaches
- Sitting in seclusion, Saubhari Muni reflected on his falldown. He recognized his association with the sexual affairs of fish as its cause.
- The purport explains that his fall from austerity arose from vaiṣṇava-aparādha, an offense to a Vaiṣṇava. He had unnecessarily sheltered the fish and obstructed Garuḍa’s plans to eat.
- Even an exalted position in mystic austerity did not protect him from the consequences of this offense. The lesson is not to impede the activities of a Vaiṣṇava.
Try this today
Reflect on one interaction with a Vaiṣṇava today and identify how you can be respectful rather than obstructive.
Ask yourself
Am I being careful not to obstruct a Vaiṣṇava’s service?
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.