Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 6.10.9
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyCompassion Extends to Every Living Being
“If one is unhappy to see the distress of other living beings and happy to see their happiness, his religious principles are appreciated as imperishable by exalted persons who are considered pious and benevolent.”
What the purport teaches
- Real religious principles mean feeling others’ distress and happiness as one’s own. We should not inflict pain on other living beings.
- Humans, animals, trees and plants are all children of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Every living being is a spirit soul, part and parcel of God.
- Equal vision accompanies the attainment of pure devotional service. A Vaiṣṇava feels others’ suffering and therefore works to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Try this today
Choose one concrete act of kindness toward an animal or plant today, remembering that it too is part and parcel of God.
Ask yourself
Does my compassion include living beings beyond humanity?
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.