Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.7.40
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyThe Lord's Tests Reveal Devotees' Duty
“Sūta Gosvāmī said: Although Kṛṣṇa, who was examining Arjuna in religion, encouraged Arjuna to kill the son of Droṇācārya, Arjuna, a great soul, did not like the idea of killing him, although Aśvatthāmā was a heinous murderer of Arjuna’s family members.”
What the purport teaches
- Arjuna did not wish to kill his teacher's son, even though that son had committed heinous acts. This showed Arjuna's greatness of heart.
- Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa outwardly encouraged the killing to test Arjuna's sense of duty. The Lord was not unaware of Arjuna's understanding.
- The Lord tests His pure devotees to magnify their sense of duty. Pure devotees come out successful in His tests.
Try this today
Pause before responding to one difficult situation today and consider your duty carefully.
Ask yourself
When duty feels difficult, how can I respond thoughtfully rather than impulsively?
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.