Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.22.25
Visarga· Brahmā's creationEarlier Customs Are Not Always Permitted Today
“Bādarāyaṇa, Śrī Vyāsadeva, following the order of his mother, Satyavatī, begot three sons, two by the womb of Ambikā and Ambālikā, the two wives of his brother Vicitravīrya, and the third by Vicitravīrya’s maidservant. These sons were Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Pāṇḍu and Vidura.”
What the purport teaches
- After Vicitravīrya died without children, Satyavatī asked Vyāsadeva to beget children through his wives. Following her order, he fathered Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Pāṇḍu and Vidura through the two wives and a maidservant.
- In those days, a husband’s brother could beget children through his sister-in-law if the husband could not. This practice was called devareṇa sutotpatti.
- The purport states that devareṇa sutotpatti is forbidden in the Age of Kali. It also lists horse and cow sacrifices, acceptance of sannyāsa, and offerings of flesh to forefathers among the five forbidden acts.
Try this today
Mark the distinction in this purport between what was allowed in earlier times and what is forbidden in the Age of Kali.
Ask yourself
Why is it important to notice the text’s restrictions rather than simply imitate an earlier custom?
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.