Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.12.14
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyGive Thoughtfully to Support the Lord’s Service
“Upon the birth of a son, the King, who knew how, where and when charity should be given, gave gold, land, villages, elephants, horses and good food grains to the brāhmaṇas.”
What the purport teaches
- The King knew how, where and when charity should be given. At the child’s birth, he generously gave wealth and provisions to the brāhmaṇas.
- Charity was offered to those qualified by spiritual enlightenment. It maintained brāhmaṇas engaged in the Lord’s service without anxiety over bodily needs.
- Freed from earning for themselves, these brāhmaṇas could devote themselves to the well-being of society. Properly directed charity supported society’s spiritual advancement.
Try this today
Set aside a small gift today for a spiritually qualified person engaged in the Lord’s service.
Ask yourself
How can my giving help sincere servants of the Lord carry out their spiritual service?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.