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Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.11.8-12

Manvantara· The Manus and right duty

Develop Good Qualities Through Devotion

“These are the general principles to be followed by all human beings: truthfulness, mercy, austerity (observing fasts on certain days of the month), bathing twice a day, tolerance, discrimination between right and wrong, control of the mind, control of the senses, nonviolence, celibacy, charity, reading of scripture, simplicity, satisfaction, rendering service to saintly persons, gradually taking leave of unnecessary engagements, observing the futility of the unnecessary activities of human society, remaining silent and grave and avoiding unnecessary talk, considering whether one is the body or the soul, distributing food equally to all living entities (both men and animals), seeing every soul (especially in the human form) as a part of the Supreme Lord, hearing about the activities and instructions given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead (who is the shelter of the saintly persons), chanting about these activities and instructions, always remembering these activities and instructions, trying to render service, performing worship, offering obeisances, becoming a servant, becoming a friend, and surrendering one’s whole self. O King Yudhiṣṭhira, these thirty qualifications must be acquired in the human form of life. Simply by acquiring these qualifications, one can satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead.”

Śrīla Prabhupāda · Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.11.8-12, translation

What the purport teaches

  • All human beings should be trained in the thirty qualities, including truthfulness, mercy, cleanliness, restraint and satisfaction. These qualities are needed for peace, regardless of religious affiliation.
  • One should cleanse the body externally and the mind internally by remembering the Lord’s holy name. Everyone should learn simplicity in thought and feeling and satisfaction in body and mind.
  • Hearing, chanting, remembering, serving, worshiping and surrendering to the Lord satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Unflinching devotional service to Kṛṣṇa brings the other good qualities.

Try this today

Take a few quiet minutes today to chant the holy name of the Lord attentively.

Ask yourself

Which of these qualities needs more attention in my daily devotional life?

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.

One of the 108 chosen lessons, close to this verseSeek the Lord’s Shelter for EveryoneSB 7.9.44Next · LeadTeach what you are livingTurn this chapter into a timed class plan or a short reel script.Open Lecture Studio