Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.19.43
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyFalsity Is Not Condemned in Certain Circumstances
“In flattering a woman to bring her under control, in joking, in a marriage ceremony, in earning one’s livelihood, when one’s life is in danger, in protecting cows and brahminical culture, or in protecting a person from an enemy’s hand, falsity is never condemned.”
What the purport teaches
- The translation lists particular circumstances in which falsity is not condemned. These include flattering a woman to bring her under control, joking, and a marriage ceremony.
- Earning one’s livelihood and facing danger to one’s life are also included. The teaching names specific circumstances rather than giving an unrestricted approval of falsity.
- Protecting cows and brahminical culture, or protecting someone from an enemy’s hand, are further circumstances listed. These examples concern protection from harm.
Try this today
Write down the protective circumstances named in the translation, keeping them distinct from a general permission to speak falsely.
Ask yourself
How does the inclusion of protecting someone from harm affect my understanding of this teaching?
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.