Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.12.19
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyProtect Life and Remain True
“The learned brāhmaṇas said: O son of Pṛthā, this child shall be exactly like King Ikṣvāku, son of Manu, in maintaining all those who are born. And as for following the brahminical principles, especially in being true to his promise, he shall be exactly like Rāma, the Personality of Godhead, the son of Mahārāja Daśaratha.”
What the purport teaches
- The living being has no birth or death, but changes material bodies according to his work. Separation from the Lord’s service and the desire to control material nature bring this conditioning.
- The Lord maintains living beings, who are His parts and parcels, and protects them through saintly kings. This protection includes animals, because all who are born in this world have the right to live.
- The child would maintain others like Ikṣvāku and keep his promises like Rāma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Lord Kṛṣṇa’s teachings of devotional service were passed through disciplic succession for the welfare of human society.
Try this today
Keep one promise today, remembering the example of Lord Rāma’s truthfulness.
Ask yourself
How can my care for other living beings reflect respect for their relationship with the Lord?
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.