Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.20.14
Sthāna· The universe in orderPassing On Responsibility and Accepting Austerity
“O King, another son of Mahārāja Priyavrata, Hiraṇyaretā, was the king of this island. He divided it into seven parts, which he delivered to his seven sons according to the rights of inheritance. The King then retired from family life to engage in austerities. The names of those sons are Vasu, Vasudāna, Dṛḍharuci, Stutyavrata, Nābhigupta, Vivikta and Vāmadeva.”
What the purport teaches
- Hiraṇyaretā, a son of Mahārāja Priyavrata, ruled the island.
- He divided the island into seven parts and gave them to his seven sons according to their rights of inheritance.
- After arranging this inheritance, the King retired from family life to engage in austerities.
Try this today
Complete one small responsibility today before setting aside a few quiet minutes to reflect on austerity.
Ask yourself
What can you learn from the King’s arranging his responsibilities before retiring?
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.