Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.16.25
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionMaintain Religious Principles Despite Difficulties
“The earthly deity [in the form of a cow] thus replied to the personality of religious principles [in the form of a bull]: O Dharma, whatever you have inquired from me shall be known to you. I shall try to reply to all those questions. Once you too were maintained by your four legs, and you increased happiness all over the universe by the mercy of the Lord.”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord Himself lays down religious principles, and Dharmarāja, or Yamarāja, executes His laws. By the Lord’s mercy, these principles increase happiness throughout the universe.
- Religious principles operate fully in Satya-yuga and diminish through the succeeding ages. In Kali-yuga, they are reduced to one fourth and gradually decline further.
- Individual and collective happiness depends on maintaining religious principles. Holding to them despite difficulties brings happiness in life and ultimately a return to Godhead.
Try this today
Identify one religious commitment you already follow, and make a concrete plan to keep it today despite one likely obstacle.
Ask yourself
What difficulty most tests my willingness to maintain religious principles?
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.