Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.22.56
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesCombine Firm Protection With Gentle Care
“Mahārāja Pṛthu became as celebrated a king as Soma-rāja, the king of the moon. He was also powerful and exacting, just like the sun-god, who distributes heat and light and at the same time exacts all the planetary waters.”
What the purport teaches
- The sun and moon illustrate the Supreme Lord’s perfect plan for maintaining the universe. Both have particular influences that maintain order.
- Like the sun, Pṛthu Mahārāja gave protection while also exacting taxes and issuing strong orders. No one had the power to disobey him.
- Like soothing moonshine after a day’s labor, he also pleased everyone. His strong rule was accompanied by care for the citizens.
Try this today
Carry out one responsibility firmly today, while speaking gently to everyone involved.
Ask yourself
How can I combine firmness in my responsibilities with behavior that comforts others?
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.