Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.26.9
Ūti· What drives us to actDevotees Cannot Ignore Animal Suffering
“When King Purañjana was hunting in this way, many animals within the forest lost their lives with great pain, being pierced by the sharp arrowheads. Upon seeing these devastating, ghastly activities performed by the King, all the people who were merciful by nature became very unhappy. Such merciful persons could not tolerate seeing all this killing.”
What the purport teaches
- The animals killed by King Purañjana suffered greatly, and merciful people could not tolerate seeing their pain. Devotees of the Lord are deeply afflicted by animal-killing.
- Animals are not lifeless stones or beings without souls. The purport rejects such arguments as excuses for killing them.
- Vaiṣṇavas are unhappy to see killing and exploitation, so they work to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Compassion also calls us to heed the instructions of saintly persons.
Try this today
Choose a meal without meat today as a concrete step away from supporting animal-killing.
Ask yourself
How can concern for suffering animals influence my choices today?
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.