Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.13.23
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyRespect the King’s Representative Position
“It is the duty of all citizens in a state never to insult the king, even though he sometimes appears to have done something very sinful. Because of his prowess, the king is always more influential than all other ruling chiefs.”
What the purport teaches
- In Vedic civilization, the king is supposed to represent the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He is called nara-nārāyaṇa, indicating Nārāyaṇa’s representation in human society as king.
- The etiquette described here is that citizens should never insult a brāhmaṇa or a kṣatriya king. This applies even when the king appears sinful.
- Vena was cursed by the nara-devatās. The purport therefore concludes that his sinful activities were very grievous.
Try this today
If you discuss a ruler today, describe the concern plainly without insulting the person.
Ask yourself
Can I speak about a ruler’s apparent faults without resorting to insults?
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.