Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.16.11
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesBeauty Has a Place Even in Defense
“Mahārāja Parīkṣit sat on a chariot drawn by black horses. His flag was marked with the sign of a lion. Being so decorated and surrounded by charioteers, cavalry, elephants and infantry soldiers, he left the capital to conquer in all directions.”
What the purport teaches
- Black horses drew Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s chariot, distinguishing it from Arjuna’s chariot, which had white horses.
- Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s flag bore a lion, while his grandfather’s bore Hanumānjī.
- The royal procession included decorated chariots, cavalry, elephants and infantry. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes it as a sign of a civilization that valued beauty even on the fighting front.
Try this today
Reread the description and name one detail that makes the procession pleasing to the eyes.
Ask yourself
What does this description help me notice about the place of beauty in civilization?
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.