Shloka 48
Brahmā Counsels the Demigods; Journey to Kailāsa; Śiva’s Tranquility and Brahmā’s Praise
यस्मिन्यदा पुष्करनाभमायया दुरन्तया स्पृष्टधिय: पृथग्दृश: । कुर्वन्ति तत्र ह्यनुकम्पया कृपां न साधवो दैवबलात्कृते क्रमम् ॥ ४८ ॥
yasmin yadā puṣkara-nābha-māyayā durantayā spṛṣṭa-dhiyaḥ pṛthag-dṛśaḥ kurvanti tatra hy anukampayā kṛpāṁ na sādhavo daiva-balāt kṛte kramam
My Lord, when materialistic people—already bewildered by the insurmountable māyā of the Supreme Puskaranābha—sometimes commit offenses, saintly persons, out of compassion, do not take it as grave. Knowing they act under the overpowering force of illusion, they do not display their prowess to retaliate.
It is said that the beauty of a tapasvī, or saintly person, is forgiveness. There are many instances in the spiritual history of the world in which many saintly persons, although unnecessarily harassed, did not take action, although they could have done so. Parīkṣit Mahārāja, for example, was unnecessarily cursed by a brāhmaṇa boy, and this was very much regretted by the boy’s father, but Parīkṣit Mahārāja accepted the curse and agreed to die within a week as the brāhmaṇa boy desired. Parīkṣit Mahārāja was the emperor and was full in power both spiritually and materially, but out of compassion and out of respect for the brāhmaṇa community, he did not counteract the action of the brāhmaṇa boy but agreed to die within seven days. Because it was desired by Kṛṣṇa that Parīkṣit Mahārāja agree to the punishment so that the instruction of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam would thus be revealed to the world, Parīkṣit Mahārāja was advised not to take action. A Vaiṣṇava is personally tolerant for the benefit of others. When he does not show his prowess, this does not mean that he is lacking in strength; rather, it indicates that he is tolerant for the welfare of the entire human society.
FAQs
This verse says that even when people develop divided, deluded vision due to the Lord’s māyā, sādhus respond with compassion and mercy, maintaining proper conduct rather than reacting harshly.
In the aftermath of Dakṣa’s sacrifice conflict, Brahmā instructs that turmoil and misunderstanding can arise under māyā and destiny, yet saintly persons should remain steady in dharma and show mercy.
Keep your principles and spiritual practice steady, avoid retaliatory behavior, and choose compassionate speech and action—seeing delusion as a condition to be healed rather than an enemy to be crushed.