Shloka 47
Brahmā Counsels the Demigods; Journey to Kailāsa; Śiva’s Tranquility and Brahmā’s Praise
पृथग्धिय: कर्मदृशो दुराशया: परोदयेनार्पितहृद्रुजोऽनिशम् । परान् दुरुक्तैर्वितुदन्त्यरुन्तुदा- स्तान्मावधीद्दैववधान्भवद्विध: ॥ ४७ ॥
pṛthag-dhiyaḥ karma-dṛśo durāśayāḥ parodayenārpita-hṛd-rujo ’niśam parān duruktair vitudanty aruntudās tān māvadhīd daiva-vadhān bhavad-vidhaḥ
Those who see with a mind of separation, cling to fruitive action, harbor petty hopes, burn within at others’ prosperity, and torment them with harsh, piercing words have already been slain by Providence. Therefore an exalted one like you need not kill them again.
Persons who are materialistic and always engaged in fruitive activities for material profit cannot endure seeing the flourishing life of others. Except for a few persons in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the entire world is full of such envious persons, who are perpetually full of anxieties because they are attached to the material body and are without self-realization. Since their hearts are always filled with anxiety, it is understood that they have already been killed by providence. Thus Lord Śiva, as a self-realized Vaiṣṇava, was advised not to kill Dakṣa. A Vaiṣṇava is described as para-duḥkha-duḥkhī because although he is never distressed in any condition of life, he is distressed to see others in a distressed condition. Vaiṣṇavas, therefore, should not try to kill by any action of the body or mind but should try to revive the Kṛṣṇa consciousness of others out of compassion for them. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement has been started to deliver the envious persons of the world from the clutches of māyā, and even though devotees are sometimes put into trouble, they push on the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement in all tolerance. Lord Caitanya advises:
FAQs
This verse describes envious people as inwardly pained by others’ success and therefore prone to injure others with cruel words; it advises not to retaliate violently, since such people are already punished by their own fate and mentality.
After Daksha’s sacrifice was disturbed and tensions rose, Brahma pacified Shiva, urging him not to kill the offenders, emphasizing restraint, compassion, and that destiny already deals with those driven by envy and fruitive vision.
When faced with jealous criticism, avoid revenge; respond with restraint and clarity, recognizing that envy harms the envious person most, and keep your own conduct aligned with dharma and devotional character.