—json {

  "name":"SB 3.12.31",
  "h1":"SB 3.12.31",
  "label":"Text 31",
  "title":"Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 3.12.31",
  "description":"Even though you are the most powerful being, this act does not suit you because your character is followed for spiritual improvement by people in general."

} —

SB 3.12.31

तेजीयसामपि ह्येतन्न सुश्लोक्यं जगद्गुरो ।
यद्वृत्तमनुतिष्ठन्वै लोकः क्षेमाय कल्पते ॥३१॥

Text

tejīyasām api hy etan
na suślokyaṁ jagad-guro
yad-vṛttam anutiṣṭhan vai
lokaḥ kṣemāya kalpate

Synonyms

tejīyasām—of the most powerful; api—also; hi—certainly; etat—such an act; na—not suitable; su-ślokyam—good behavior; jagat-guro—O spiritual master of the universe; yat—whose; vṛttam—character; anutiṣṭhan—following; vai—certainly; lokaḥ—the world; kṣemāya—for prosperity; kalpate—becomes eligible.

Translation

Even though you are the most powerful being, this act does not suit you because your character is followed for spiritual improvement by people in general.

Purport

It is said that a supremely powerful living entity can do anything and everything he likes and such acts do not affect him in any way. For example, the sun, the most powerful fiery planet in the universe, can evaporate water from anywhere and still remain as powerful. The sun evaporates water from filthy places and yet is not infected with the quality of the filth. Similarly, Brahmā remains unimpeachable in all conditions. But still, since he is the spiritual master of all living entities, his behavior and character should be so ideal that people will follow such sublime behavior and derive the highest spiritual benefit. Therefore, he should not have acted as he did.