Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.7.42
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyBe Gentle Without Giving Up Discernment
“Śrī Sūta Gosvāmī said: Draupadī then saw Aśvatthāmā, who was bound with ropes like an animal and silent for having enacted the most inglorious murder. Due to her female nature, and due to her being naturally good and well-behaved, she showed him due respects as a brāhmaṇa.”
What the purport teaches
- Although grieving for her sons, Draupadī offered respect to Aśvatthāmā as the son of a brāhmaṇa. Her natural courtesy remained even before their murderer.
- Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa had condemned Aśvatthāmā, whose actions showed him to be an unworthy son of Droṇācārya.
- The purport cautions that gentleness should not make us give up reason and discrimination. Respectful treatment does not establish someone as a genuine brāhmaṇa.
Try this today
In one interaction today, keep your words gentle while assessing the person's actions honestly.
Ask yourself
Can I remain courteous while still recognizing conduct that is wrong?
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.