Sura-dviṣām – The Fate of Those Envious of God's Devotees
Envy is the pervasive disease of the material world, but when it is directed toward the devotees of the Lord, it becomes the most dangerous offense. Śrīla Prabhupāda uses the Sanskrit term sura-dviṣām to describe those who are envious of the godly. Unlike ordinary jealousy, this spiritual envy provokes the direct antagonism of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Whether in ancient history or modern society, the mentality of the sura-dviṣām remains the same: they cannot tolerate the opulence and peace of the Vaiṣṇava, and thus they pave their own path to destruction.
The Nature of Sura-dviṣām
The fundamental distinction between a devotee and a demon is the presence of envy. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a true Vaiṣṇava is never envious of another's success, whereas a mundane person consumes themselves with jealousy. This envy of the devotees is "the law of nature" for the atheist class. Because they cannot understand the transcendental position of a servant of God, they try to minimize the devotee's activities or find fault where there is none.
- Sura-dvisam means persons who are envious of the Vaisnavas. The atheist class, demons, they are always envious of the devotees. That is the law of nature
- Demons do not like such activity (devotional service). They are always envious of God and His devotees
- One who is envious of the success of a Vaisnava is certainly not a Vaisnava himself but is an ordinary, mundane man. Envy and jealousy are manifested by mundane people, not by Vaisnavas
Historical Atrocities
The history of the universe is filled with accounts of great devotees being harassed by envious demons. Hiraṇyakaśipu's envy of his own five-year-old son, Prahlāda, is the classic example of how deep this malice can run. Similarly, Rāmacandra Khān was so envious of Haridāsa Ṭhākura that he hired a prostitute to pollute him. Even Dhruva Mahārāja faced envy from his stepmother, Suruci. In all these cases, the envy of the demon could not stop the advancement of the devotee.
- Because Prahlada Maharaja was a devotee, his father, Hiranyakasipu, was so envious that he was prepared to kill his own son, although the little boy's only fault was that he was chanting Hare Krsna. This is the nature of demons
- Ramacandra Khan, who was envious of Haridasa Thakura, sent a professional prostitute to attempt to defame him, but by the mercy of Haridasa Thakura, even the prostitute was delivered
- Suruci was so envious of Dhruva Maharaja that she indirectly asked him to change his body
The Lord's Protection and Punishment
Kṛṣṇa is generally equal to everyone, but He makes a specific exception for those who are envious of His devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda states that the Lord is "extremely antagonistic" toward such offenders. The Lord descends specifically to annihilate the sura-dviṣām and protect His surrendered souls. This offense is so severe that it leads directly to a hellish condition, stripping the offender of any spiritual standing they might claim to possess.
- The Lord is extremely antagonistic toward those who are envious of His devotees
- The real cause of His coming is at the request of His devotees, but when He comes He simultaneously shows that He is prepared to kill anyone who is envious of His devotees
- Whoever kills or blasphemes a Vaisnava and whoever is envious of a Vaisnava or angry with him, or whoever does not offer him obeisances or feel joy upon seeing him, certainly falls into a hellish condition
Modern Envy and its Futility
In the modern context, envy often manifests as resentment toward the lifestyle of Kṛṣṇa conscious devotees. Observers may become angry seeing that devotees "do not work" in the traditional sense yet live happily and opulently. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out the futility of this envy. It brings no benefit to the envier; instead, it causes them to lose everything auspicious. Just as Hiraṇyakaśipu's envy harmed him and not Prahlāda, modern envy of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement only condemns the envious to their own miserable labor.
- They are envious of us because we do not work but still we have so much. But why don't they come join us? That they will not do. "Come with us," we say. "Chant Hare Krsna." "No, no, no. That I cannot do." - All right. Then work with your trucks
- Being envious of the Lord and His devotees is not at all auspicious for a demon. By such envy, a demon loses everything considered beneficial
- To give a practical example, Hiranyakasipu was envious of Prahlada Maharaja, but this envy of the devotee was harmful to Hiranyakasipu, not to Prahlada
Conclusion
Envy of the devotees is the hallmark of the demoniac nature and the surest path to spiritual ruin. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions warn that while the material world is full of dangers, the danger posed by the sura-dviṣām mentality is unique because it invites the wrath of God Himself. Whether manifested as physical violence in the case of Hiraṇyakaśipu or as subtle resentment in modern society, this envy never succeeds in stopping the Lord's mission. The wisest course is to abandon this self-destructive malice and instead offer respect to the Vaiṣṇavas, for their mercy is the only hope for deliverance.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Envious of Devotees of God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.