Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.26.6
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyRegulation Restrains Uncontrolled Sense Enjoyment
“If a king is too attracted to eating flesh, he may, according to the directions of the revealed scriptures on sacrificial performances, go to the forest and kill some animals that are recommended for killing. One is not allowed to kill animals unnecessarily or without restrictions. The Vedas regulate animal-killing to stop the extravagance of foolish men influenced by the modes of passion and ignorance.”
What the purport teaches
- The Vedas regulate animal-killing to restrain people influenced by passion and ignorance. Restricted permission is not approval of unnecessary or unrestricted killing.
- Having senses does not justify satisfying every desire. The purport warns against teachers who dismiss the scriptures and promise immediate spiritual advancement merely by their touch.
- Scriptural regulations are meant for human beings, who are responsible for their actions. One should restrict sense enjoyment according to Vedic principles rather than act according to lusty desires.
Try this today
When one urge for unnecessary sense enjoyment arises today, pause and refrain from acting on it.
Ask yourself
Do I treat a restriction as guidance, or look for permission to indulge further?
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.