Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.21.22
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyLeadership Means Protecting All Living Beings
“King Pṛthu continued: By the grace of the Supreme Lord I have been appointed the king of this planet, and I carry the scepter to rule the citizens, protect them from all danger, and give them employment according to their respective positions in the social order established by Vedic injunction.”
What the purport teaches
- The opportunity to govern is given by the Supreme Lord. A ruler should look after the people's interests and help them progress toward the highest perfection.
- The government should provide proper employment according to people's occupational duties and modes of material nature. Social position should not be claimed merely by birthright.
- Prajā includes animals, trees and all other living entities, not only human beings. Pṛthu Mahārāja understood that the ruler must provide protection and food for them all.
Try this today
Give water to a thirsty animal or a plant that needs it, remembering the duty to protect living beings.
Ask yourself
How can I extend my care beyond human beings to other living entities?
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.