Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.7.33
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesConduct Matters More Than Birth
“Arjuna, his eyes blazing in anger like two red balls of copper, dexterously arrested the son of Gautamī and bound him with ropes like an animal.”
What the purport teaches
- Arjuna arrested the son of Gautamī and bound him with ropes like an animal. His eyes blazed with anger.
- Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that restraining him in this way was part of Arjuna's duty, or dharma.
- Aśvatthāmā was the son of Droṇācārya and Kṛpī, but his conduct had degraded his standing. His birth did not justify treating him as a brāhmaṇa.
Try this today
Choose one duty today and carry it out carefully, without relying on your status or reputation.
Ask yourself
Do I rely on my background or position instead of taking responsibility for my conduct?
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.