Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.24.6
Mukti· LiberationRoyal Duty Can Be Unpleasant
“Whenever Antardhāna, the supreme royal power, had to exact taxes, punish his citizens or fine them severely, he was not willing to do so. Consequently he retired from the execution of such duties and engaged himself in the performance of different sacrifices.”
What the purport teaches
- A king sometimes has to perform undesirable actions simply because they belong to his duty. The purport explains that kṣatriyas face such responsibilities.
- Antardhāna was unhappy exacting taxes, punishing citizens for crimes and imposing severe fines.
- On the plea of performing sacrifices, he retired from royal power at a very early age. He then engaged in sacrifices.
Try this today
Identify one duty you find unpleasant and write down why it still needs attention.
Ask yourself
Can I distinguish an unpleasant responsibility from one that is unnecessary?
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.