Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.17.10-11
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyLive Under God's Law, Not Whim
“O chaste one, the king’s good name, duration of life and good rebirth vanish when all kinds of living beings are terrified by miscreants in his kingdom. It is certainly the prime duty of the king to subdue first the sufferings of those who suffer. Therefore I must kill this most wretched man because he is violent against other living beings.”
What the purport teaches
- Prajā includes every living being born in the state, both human and animal. The ruler's prime duty is to relieve their suffering and protect their right to live.
- All living beings are sons of the Supreme Lord, and people should live by His directions rather than personal whim. Grains, fruits and milk provide human food without unnecessary animal killing.
- An irresponsible ruler jeopardizes his good name, duration of life and progress toward a better life and salvation. Human life is especially meant for knowing the science of God, not denying Him while remaining bound by His laws.
Try this today
Choose a meal of grains, fruits or milk today, reflecting on the Lord's directions for sustaining life without unnecessary animal killing.
Ask yourself
Where do I let personal preference outweigh the Lord's directions?
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.