Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.7.39
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyHonored Birth Does Not Excuse Wrongdoing
“This man is an assassin and murderer of your own family members. Not only that, but he has also dissatisfied his master. He is but the burnt remnants of his family. Kill him immediately.”
What the purport teaches
- Droṇācārya remained respected by the Pāṇḍavas even though he joined the enemy camp. Arjuna saluted him before the fight.
- Aśvatthāmā degraded himself by killing Draupadī's five sleeping sons. Even his master Duryodhana disapproved of this heinous act.
- Kṛṣṇa reminded Arjuna that such an assaulter was liable to punishment. Aśvatthāmā's respected family did not excuse his conduct.
Try this today
Examine one judgment you have made about someone, separating their conduct from their family reputation.
Ask yourself
Do I judge conduct honestly, even when someone has a respected family or position?
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.