Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.9.26
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyDevelop Qualities That Support Spiritual Life
“At Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira’s inquiry, Bhīṣmadeva first defined all the classifications of castes and orders of life in terms of the individual’s qualifications. Then he systematically, in twofold divisions, described counteraction by detachment and interaction by attachment.”
What the purport teaches
- Bhīṣmadeva classified social duties and orders of life according to individual qualifications. The Lord’s arrangement of varṇāśrama-dharma is meant to develop spiritual qualities and free one from material bondage.
- Bhīṣmadeva taught basic qualities for everyone, including truthfulness, forgiveness, cleanliness, simplicity and freedom from hostility. Each occupation also requires its own qualities and responsible conduct.
- Sense control is essential for intelligent people and forms the basis of morality. To learn Vedic knowledge, one should approach a person fully engaged in devotional service and seriously study the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā.
Try this today
Choose one conversation today in which to practice truthfulness and avoid an angry reply.
Ask yourself
Which quality taught by Bhīṣmadeva most needs my attention today?
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.