Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.20.15
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyHear Authentic Guidance and Apply It
“Lord Viṣṇu continued: My dear King Pṛthu, if you continue to protect the citizens according to the instructions of the learned brāhmaṇa authorities, as they are received by the disciplic succession — by hearing — from master to disciple, and if you follow the religious principles laid down by them, without attachment to ideas manufactured by mental concoction, then every one of your citizens will be happy and will love you, and very soon you will be able to see such already liberated personalities as the four Kumāras [Sanaka, Sanātana, Sanandana and Sanat-kumāra].”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Viṣṇu tells King Pṛthu to protect the citizens according to religious principles received through disciplic succession. He should follow learned authorities rather than ideas manufactured by mental concoction.
- Because strictly following varṇāśrama-dharma is difficult in this age, the purport emphasizes developing Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Its principles can be followed by everyone, everywhere.
- One need not change one's position in life, but must hear from the authentic paramparā and put its instructions into practice. The needed change is in consciousness, following the ācāryas' guidance toward pure devotion and returning home, back to Godhead.
Try this today
Reread one instruction in this purport and choose one concrete way to apply it in your present circumstances today.
Ask yourself
How can you focus more on changing your consciousness than on changing your outward situation?
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.