Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 12.1.39-40
Ūti· What drives us to actRoyal Appearance Cannot Hide Fallen Conduct
“These barbarians in the guise of kings will devour the citizenry, murdering innocent women, children, cows and brāhmaṇas and coveting the wives and property of other men. They will be erratic in their moods, have little strength of character and be very short-lived. Indeed, not purified by any Vedic rituals and lacking in the practice of regulative principles, they will be completely covered by the modes of passion and ignorance.”
What the purport teaches
- The purport calls these verses a concise, accurate description of the fallen leaders of this age. In the guise of kings, they will devour the citizenry, murdering innocent women, children, cows and brāhmaṇas.
- They will covet other men's wives and property. Their moods will be erratic, their strength of character small and their lives very short.
- Without purification through Vedic rituals or the practice of regulative principles, they will be completely covered by the modes of passion and ignorance.
Try this today
Notice one desire today for something belonging to another person, and consciously refrain from feeding it.
Ask yourself
Do I judge leadership by outward position or by character and conduct?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.