Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.21.24
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyAuthority Requires Spiritual Responsibility
“Any king who does not teach his citizens about their respective duties in terms of varṇa and āśrama but who simply exacts tolls and taxes from them is liable to suffer for the impious activities which have been performed by the citizens. In addition to such degradation, the king also loses his own fortune.”
What the purport teaches
- A king, governor or president must discharge the duties of office, not merely enjoy the position. This includes teaching people their duties within varṇa and āśrama.
- Leaders who merely collect taxes without giving such instruction share in the citizens' impious activities. The head of state and government servants involved in collection are both accountable.
- The laws of nature are subtle, and association can bring a share in the reactions to sinful activities. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement distributes Vedic knowledge for people's benefit.
Try this today
Identify one responsibility you hold and carry out one neglected duty connected with it today.
Ask yourself
Where do I accept benefits from a responsibility without fully carrying out its duties?
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.