Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.1.40
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyDharma Means Following the Lord’s Instructions
“The Yamadūtas replied: That which is prescribed in the Vedas constitutes dharma, the religious principles, and the opposite of that is irreligion. The Vedas are directly the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, and are self-born. This we have heard from Yamarāja.”
What the purport teaches
- The Yamadūtas explain what they have heard from Yamarāja rather than manufacture religious principles. Dharma is what the Vedas prescribe; its opposite is irreligion.
- The Vedas emanate from Nārāyaṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because He exists eternally, His instructions also exist eternally.
- The purpose of Vedic knowledge is to know Kṛṣṇa. Understanding Him and surrendering to His instructions makes one a candidate for returning home, back to Godhead.
Try this today
Reread one instruction in this purport and write how you can follow it today.
Ask yourself
Am I trying to understand the Lord’s instructions, or mainly relying on my own ideas about religion?
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.