Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.7.36
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyReligious Principles Restrain Violence
“A person who knows the principles of religion does not kill an enemy who is careless, intoxicated, insane, asleep, afraid or devoid of his chariot. Nor does he kill a boy, a woman, a foolish creature or a surrendered soul.”
What the purport teaches
- A warrior who knows religious principles does not kill an enemy who does not resist. The translation includes those who are asleep, intoxicated, afraid or surrendered among those protected.
- The translation also forbids killing a boy, a woman, a foolish creature or an enemy deprived of his chariot. Enmity does not remove these restraints.
- The purport explains that battles were to follow religious principles, not sense gratification or political whims. It regards violence governed by those principles as superior to so-called nonviolence.
Try this today
In a disagreement today, pause before replying and do not take advantage of the other person's fear or inability to respond.
Ask yourself
When I face opposition, do I still respect restraints that protect someone who is vulnerable?
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.