Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.17.2
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesReligious Principles Need Care and Respect
“The bull was as white as a white lotus flower. He was terrified of the śūdra who was beating him, and he was so afraid that he was standing on one leg, trembling and urinating.”
What the purport teaches
- The bull's spotless whiteness is compared to the purity of religious principles. His trembling condition shows how those principles are attacked in the Age of Kali.
- Descent from brāhmaṇa or kṣatriya forefathers does not replace education and culture in Vedic wisdom. Without that culture, people may defy religion and frighten religious persons.
- The bull standing on one leg indicates that religious principles are gradually diminishing. Disrespect for sādhu, śāstra and guru places even their remaining practice in difficulty.
Try this today
Set aside five quiet minutes today to read this purport attentively.
Ask yourself
How can I show greater respect for spiritual teachers and scripture?
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.