Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.8.5
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionProtection Supports Progress in Spiritual Life
“The clever Duryodhana and his party cunningly usurped the kingdom of Yudhiṣṭhira, who had no enemy. By the grace of the Lord, the recovery was executed, and the unscrupulous kings who joined with Duryodhana were killed by Him. Others also died, their duration of life having decreased for their rough handling of the hair of Queen Draupadī.”
What the purport teaches
- By the Lord’s grace, Yudhiṣṭhira recovered his usurped kingdom. Those who mistreated Draupadī suffered a decrease in their duration of life.
- The purport emphasizes protection for brāhmaṇas, cows, women, children and old men. Such protection supports a society directed toward spiritual life.
- Protecting children gives them the opportunity to prepare for freedom from material bondage. Protecting old people gives them a chance to prepare for a better life after death.
Try this today
Do one practical act of care for a child or an elderly person today.
Ask yourself
How can your care for someone vulnerable support their opportunity for spiritual life?
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.