Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.18.43
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyLeadership Requires Training and Devotional Service
“My dear boy, the Lord, who carries the wheel of a chariot, is represented by the monarchical regime, and when this regime is abolished the whole world becomes filled with thieves, who then at once vanquish the unprotected subjects like scattered lambs.”
What the purport teaches
- The king represents the Supreme Personality of Godhead because he is trained to acquire godly qualities and protect living beings.
- An ideal king is thoroughly trained through culture, devotional service and a martial spirit. The purport favors such a responsible monarch over elected leaders without training and responsibility.
- Without a protective ruler, people become vulnerable to thieves like scattered lambs. The loss of a monarchy like Mahārāja Parīkṣit’s exposes the people to attacks of the Age of Kali.
Try this today
Carry out one responsibility today with deliberate care for the people who depend on you.
Ask yourself
Do I see responsibility as an opportunity to protect others rather than benefit myself?
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.