Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.10.45-46
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord Shows Respect to Others
“Thereafter, having been welcomed by His brother Bharata, Lord Rāmacandra entered the city of Ayodhyā in the midst of a festival. When He entered the palace, He offered obeisances to all the mothers, including Kaikeyī and the other wives of Mahārāja Daśaratha, and especially His own mother, Kauśalyā. He also offered obeisances to the spiritual preceptors, such as Vasiṣṭha. Friends of His own age and younger friends worshiped Him, and He returned their respectful obeisances, as did Lakṣmaṇa and mother Sītā. In this way they all entered the palace.”
What the purport teaches
- Welcomed by Bharata, Lord Rāmacandra entered Ayodhyā in the midst of a festival.
- In the palace, He offered obeisances to all the mothers, including Kaikeyī and especially Kauśalyā. He also honored spiritual preceptors such as Vasiṣṭha.
- When friends of His own age and younger friends worshiped Him, He returned their obeisances. Lakṣmaṇa and mother Sītā also returned their respectful greetings.
Try this today
Return someone’s greeting today with deliberate warmth and respect.
Ask yourself
How can you show respect both to elders and to those younger than you?
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.