Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.7.52
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKṛṣṇa Helps His Perplexed Friend
“Caturbhuja [the four-armed one], or the Personality of Godhead, after hearing the words of Bhīma, Draupadī and others, saw the face of His dear friend Arjuna, and He began to speak as if smiling.”
What the purport teaches
- Bhīma wanted Aśvatthāmā killed, while Draupadī wanted him saved. Śrīdhara Svāmī explains the Lord’s four arms in relation to restraining both of them.
- The primeval Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa originally displays two arms and exhibits four in His Nārāyaṇa feature. He can manifest many arms whenever needed, so calling Him four-armed involves no contradiction.
- Arjuna was perplexed about what to do. Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, his very dear friend, voluntarily took up the matter to provide a solution, speaking as if smiling.
Try this today
Reread the translation slowly today, reflecting on Kṛṣṇa’s care for His perplexed friend.
Ask yourself
What does Kṛṣṇa’s willingness to help Arjuna teach me about His care for His devotees?
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.