Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.15.19
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord Relishes His Devotees’ Loving Intimacy
“Generally both of us used to live together and sleep, sit and loiter together. And at the time of advertising oneself for acts of chivalry, sometimes, if there were any irregularity, I used to reproach Him by saying, “My friend, You are very truthful.” Even in those hours when His value was minimized, He, being the Supreme Soul, used to tolerate all those utterings of mine, excusing me exactly as a true friend excuses his true friend, or a father excuses his son.”
What the purport teaches
- Arjuna recalls living, sleeping, sitting and walking together with Kṛṣṇa. Their friendship included familiar words of reproach.
- The Lord tolerated Arjuna’s utterances as a true friend excuses a friend or a father excuses his son.
- Śrī Kṛṣṇa is all-perfect, and His pastimes with pure devotees lack nothing. He relishes their loving reproaches more than Vedic hymns offered in an official fashion.
Try this today
Reread the Lord’s response to Arjuna’s reproaches and spend a moment appreciating His patience.
Ask yourself
How does the Lord’s patience with Arjuna help you appreciate His loving nature?
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.