✨One brings ruin to the world if one instructs others on religious principles that he himself does not follow✨ Brahma-vaivarta Purana The phrase highlights that whoever instructs in religious principles without living according to them not only deceives himself, but also contributes to the moral and spiritual degradation of society. According to the puranical view, such hypocrisy brings “ruin to the world” because it undermines confidence in religion and ethical values, generating confusion and disappointment among followers. In short, the Brahma-vaivarta Purana and the Vedic tradition in general emphasize that moral and spiritual authority depends on personal integrity: only those who practice what they preach can guide others towards dharma and collective well-being.