Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.17.14
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyProtect the Peaceful and Restrain Wrongdoing
“Whoever causes offenseless living beings to suffer must fear me anywhere and everywhere in the world. By curbing dishonest miscreants, one automatically benefits the offenseless.”
What the purport teaches
- Dishonest people flourish when leaders are too weak to restrain them. Firm punishment of offenders benefits the innocent.
- The foremost duty of a ruler is to protect peaceful, offenseless citizens in every respect.
- Devotees of the Lord are naturally peaceful and offenseless. The purport therefore calls on the state to help people become devotees, bringing peace and harmony to society.
Try this today
In one interaction today, consciously avoid causing distress and offer peaceful help instead.
Ask yourself
How can my devotion help me become more peaceful and harmless?
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.