Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.4.39-40
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyHonor Both Respect and Religious Duty
“The King said: “To transgress the laws of respectful behavior toward the brāhmaṇas is certainly a great offense. On the other hand, if one does not observe the breaking of the fast within the time of Dvādaśī, there is a flaw in one’s observance of the vow. Therefore, O brāhmaṇas, if you think that it will be auspicious and not irreligious, I shall break the fast by drinking water.” In this way, after consulting with the brāhmaṇas, the King reached this decision, for according to brahminical opinion, drinking water may be accepted as eating and also as not eating.”
What the purport teaches
- Mahārāja Ambarīṣa wanted neither to offend the brāhmaṇas nor to miss the proper time for breaking his fast.
- The brāhmaṇas apparently could not give a definite answer. The purport describes a Vaiṣṇava as most intelligent, and the King himself reached a decision in their presence.
- He decided to drink a little water, which the Vedic injunction accepts as either eating or not eating. This would break the fast without transgressing the laws for receiving a brāhmaṇa.
Try this today
Review one commitment today and identify a way to honor it without neglecting respect for another person.
Ask yourself
How can I fulfill a religious commitment while remaining respectful toward others?
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.