Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.16.13
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyJustice Without Favoritism
“Since this King will always remain on the path of piety, he will be neutral to both his son and the son of his enemy. If the son of his enemy is not punishable, he will not punish him, but if his own son is punishable, he will immediately punish him.”
What the purport teaches
- An impartial ruler must punish criminals and protect the innocent.
- King Pṛthu would not hesitate to punish his own son if his son deserved punishment.
- If his enemy’s son were innocent, Pṛthu would not devise an intrigue to punish him. His decisions would follow the path of piety.
Try this today
In one disagreement today, consider the facts without favoring the person you like more.
Ask yourself
Do my personal attachments affect how I judge someone’s actions?
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.