FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.3.18

नैताद‍ृशानां स्वजनव्यपेक्षया गृहान्प्रतीयादनवस्थितात्मनाम् । येऽभ्यागतान् वक्रधियाभिचक्षते आरोपितभ्रूभिरमर्षणाक्षिभि: ॥ १८ ॥
naitādṛśānāṁ sva-jana-vyapekṣayā
[naitaadrishaanaam sva-jana-vyapekshayaa]
gṛhān pratīyād anavasthitātmanām
[grihaan prateeyaad anavasthitaatmanaam]
ye ’bhyāgatān vakra-dhiyābhicakṣate
[ye ’bhyaagataan vakra-dhiyaabhichakshate]
āropita-bhrūbhir amarṣaṇākṣibhiḥ
[aaropita-bhroobhir amarshanaakshibhih]
na — not etādṛśānām — like this sva-jana — kinsmen vyapekṣayā — depending on that gṛhān — in the house of pratīyāt — one should go anavasthita — disturbed ātmanām — mind ye — those abhyāgatān — guests vakra-dhiyā — with a cold reception abhicakṣate — looking at āropita-bhrūbhiḥ — with raised eyebrows amarṣaṇa — angry akṣibhiḥ — with the eyes.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
naitādṛśānāṁ sva-jana-vyapekṣayā
na
not
etādṛśānām
like this
sva-jana
kinsmen
vyapekṣayā
depending on that
gṛhān pratīyād anavasthitātmanām
gṛhān
in the house of
pratīyāt
one should go
anavasthita
disturbed
ātmanām
mind
ye ’bhyāgatān vakra-dhiyābhicakṣate
ye
those
abhyāgatān
guests
vakra-dhiyā
with a cold reception
āropita-bhrūbhir amarṣaṇākṣibhiḥ
abhicakṣate
looking at
āropita-bhrūbhiḥ
with raised eyebrows
amarṣaṇa
angry
akṣibhiḥ
with the eyes.
One should not go to anyone’s house, even on the consideration of his being a relative or a friend, when the man is disturbed in his mind and looks upon the guest with raised eyebrows and angry eyes.

However low a person may be, he is never unkind to his children, wife and nearest kin; even a tiger is kind to its cubs, for within the animal kingdom the cubs are treated very nicely. Since Satī was the daughter of Dakṣa, however cruel and contaminated he might be, naturally it was expected that he would receive her very nicely. But here it is indicated by the word anavasthita that such a person cannot be trusted. Tigers are very kind to their cubs, but it is also known that sometimes they eat them. Malicious persons should not be trusted, because they are always unsteady. Thus Satī was advised not to go to her father’s house because to accept such a father as a relative and to go to his house without being properly invited was not suitable.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
One should not go to the houses of persons who have disturbed minds, who will look at the guests with crooked mind, raised brows and angry glances, while considering them to be relatives. Even a father of this nature should be rejected. One should not go, considering that they are relatives. If one goes, one should go thinking of them as enemies. “But even the low minded have affection for their children and husbands.” Even this is not certain for those with disturbed minds. They will see you with angry eyes and raised brows.
Don't go even to a relative's house when he looks upon you with raised eyebrows and angry eyes — read the room. Some doors should not be entered, even when ancestral ties pull you. Honor your perception of hostility.
Reflection Questions
  • Which door am I about to enter despite clear signs of hostility?
  • Where am I overriding my perception of warning out of family obligation?
📝 My note

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