Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.6.28
Sthāna· The universe in orderGoodness and the Protection of Animals
“The demigods, qualified by the superexcellent quality of the mode of goodness, are situated in the heavenly planets, whereas the human beings, because of their nature in the mode of passion, live on the earth in company with their subordinates.”
What the purport teaches
- Those highly developed in goodness are promoted to the heavenly planets. Those overpowered by passion remain in the middle planetary systems, while those filled with ignorance descend to lower systems or the animal kingdom.
- Animals such as cows, horses and dogs live under human protection. Animals are meant to be protected by mankind.
- Unnecessary animal killing shows excessive development of passion and ignorance. Those who indulge in it cannot advance to goodness and are destined for lower statuses of life.
Try this today
Choose a meal today that does not require killing an animal.
Ask yourself
How can my choices today support the protection of animals?
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.