Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 12
Mahārāja Sagara, Kapila Muni, and the Deliverance of the Sixty Thousand Sons
न साधुवादो मुनिकोपभर्जिता नृपेन्द्रपुत्रा इति सत्त्वधामनि । कथं तमो रोषमयं विभाव्यते जगत्पवित्रात्मनि खे रजो भुव: ॥ १२ ॥
na sādhu-vādo muni-kopa-bharjitā nṛpendra-putrā iti sattva-dhāmani kathaṁ tamo roṣamayaṁ vibhāvyate jagat-pavitrātmani khe rajo bhuvaḥ
It is sometimes argued that the sons of King Sagara were burned to ashes by the fire emanating from the eyes of Kapila Muni. This statement, however, is not approved by great learned persons, for Kapila Muni’s body is completely in the mode of goodness and therefore cannot manifest the mode of ignorance in the form of anger, just as the pure sky cannot be polluted by the dust of the earth.
FAQs
This verse teaches that the Supreme Lord, the abode of pure goodness and the purifier of the universe, cannot truly be touched by darkness or anger—just as dust from earth cannot stain the sky.
In the Ambarīṣa–Durvāsā episode, the sage’s anger leads to rebuke and consequence, highlighting that even great ascetics must respect pure devotees and that the Lord remains transcendent and purifying.
Do not hastily condemn others when conflict arises; cultivate humility, avoid offenses toward sincere devotees, and remember that the Divine remains pure—so purification comes by aligning one’s mind with devotion rather than anger.