Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.3.18
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyFamily Ties Do Not Guarantee Welcome
“One should not go to anyone’s house, even on the consideration of his being a relative or a friend, when the man is disturbed in his mind and looks upon the guest with raised eyebrows and angry eyes.”
What the purport teaches
- One should not visit a person who is mentally disturbed and receives guests with anger, even if that person is a relative or friend.
- Although kindness toward close family is naturally expected, a malicious person is unsteady and cannot be trusted on that basis.
- Satī was therefore advised not to visit her father’s house merely because he was her relative, without a proper invitation.
Try this today
If planning a visit where hostility is likely, wait for a clear welcome rather than relying only on kinship.
Ask yourself
Am I relying on a family connection while overlooking clear signs of hostility?
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.