Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.14.1
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyLeadership Should Support Spiritual Welfare
“The great sage Maitreya continued: O great hero Vidura, the great sages, headed by Bhṛgu, were always thinking of the welfare of the people in general. When they saw that in the absence of King Aṅga there was no one to protect the interests of the people, they understood that without a ruler the people would become independent and nonregulated.”
What the purport teaches
- The sages headed by Bhṛgu always sought the welfare of the people. Their aim was to elevate everyone to the spiritual platform.
- Kings were meant to rule according to the sages’ instructions, keeping the ultimate goal of life in mind. After King Aṅga disappeared, no ruler remained to follow that guidance.
- Society needs intelligent, administrative, productive and worker classes according to quality and work. Without knowledge of life’s purpose, leaders make whimsical laws that do not bring happiness.
Try this today
Before making one decision that affects others today, consider their spiritual welfare as well as their immediate needs.
Ask yourself
How could concern for spiritual welfare shape a responsibility you have?
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.