Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.14.39-40
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyPower Must Be Guided by Duty
“Upon seeing the dust storm, the saintly persons could understand that there were a great deal of irregularities due to the death of King Vena. Without government, the state was devoid of law and order, and consequently there was a great uprising of murderous thieves and rogues, who were plundering the riches of the people in general. Although the great sages could subdue the disturbance by their powers — just as they could kill the King — they considered it improper on their part to do so. Thus they did not attempt to stop the disturbance.”
What the purport teaches
- After King Vena’s death, the absence of government brought lawlessness, plundering, and murderous thieves.
- The sages could have subdued the thieves through the power of their mantras, but they considered it improper to take over that duty.
- Killing was not the ordinary duty of brāhmaṇas and saintly persons; their action against Vena had been an emergency. They regarded suppressing the uprising as the duty of kṣatriya kings.
Try this today
Before taking over one task today, pause to identify whose responsibility it is.
Ask yourself
When I have the ability to intervene, do I also consider whether it is my proper responsibility?
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.