Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.26.24
Ūti· What drives us to actCultivate Spiritual Knowledge, Not Cruelty
“If in this life a man of the higher classes [brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya and vaiśya] is very fond of taking his pet dogs, mules or asses into the forest to hunt and kill animals unnecessarily, he is placed after death into the hell known as Prāṇarodha. There the assistants of Yamarāja make him their targets and pierce him with arrows.”
What the purport teaches
- The verse condemns taking pleasure in hunting and killing animals unnecessarily. It describes punishment in Prāṇarodha for this misuse of one’s position.
- Brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas should cultivate knowledge of Brahman. They should also give śūdras an opportunity to reach that platform.
- Social standing does not excuse unnecessary killing. The purport warns that those who choose hunting instead of spiritual cultivation face severe consequences.
Try this today
Set aside five minutes today to study the teaching here about cultivating knowledge of Brahman.
Ask yourself
How am I using my opportunities to cultivate spiritual knowledge rather than cause harm?
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.