Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.20.13
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyFollow the Lord's Directions With Steadiness
“My dear heroic King, please keep yourself always equipoised and treat people equally, whether they are greater than you, in the intermediate stage or lower than you. Do not be disturbed by temporary distress or happiness. Fully control your mind and senses. In this transcendental position, try to execute your duty as king in whatever condition of life you may be posted by My arrangement, for your only duty here is to give protection to the citizens of your kingdom.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Viṣṇu instructs Pṛthu Mahārāja to treat people equally, control his mind and senses, and remain steady in happiness and distress. His duty as king is to protect the citizens.
- One should receive orders from Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, or His bona fide representative, the spiritual master. These instructions should be accepted as one's life and soul, without personal considerations.
- The Lord guides us in devotional service through the spiritual master, who should not be regarded as an ordinary person. Sincerely following these instructions keeps one free from the contamination of bodily and material activities.
Try this today
In one interaction today, practice the Lord's instruction to treat people equally, without favoring someone because of their position.
Ask yourself
What personal preference sometimes makes it difficult for you to follow the Lord's instructions sincerely?
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.