Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.21.51
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyHonor the Supreme Lord’s Representative
“When necessary, You assume the part of the sun-god; the moon-god; Agni, the god of fire; Indra, the lord of paradise; Vāyu, the wind-god; Yama, the god of punishment; Dharma, the god of piety; and Varuṇa, the god presiding over the waters. All obeisances to you, who are none other than Lord Viṣṇu!”
What the purport teaches
- Kardama was a brāhmaṇa, while Svāyambhuva Manu was a kṣatriya. By social position alone, the sage was not expected to offer obeisances to the King.
- Kardama nevertheless offered obeisances because Manu represented the Supreme Lord. His respect recognized the King’s service as the Lord’s representative.
- The Supreme Lord is always worshipable, whatever one’s social position. As His representative, the King deserved respectful obeisances from everyone.
Try this today
Offer respectful obeisances to the Supreme Lord today, remembering that He is worshipable by everyone.
Ask yourself
Do I let concern for my own position prevent me from showing deserved respect?
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.