Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.8.31
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesPure Love Controls the All-Powerful Lord
“My dear Kṛṣṇa, Yaśodā took up a rope to bind You when You committed an offense, and Your perturbed eyes overflooded with tears, which washed the mascara from Your eyes. And You were afraid, though fear personified is afraid of You. This sight is bewildering to me.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa remains Supreme in every circumstance, yet He becomes a plaything before His pure devotee. He especially relishes service offered spontaneously out of pure affection.
- Mother Yaśodā regarded Kṛṣṇa simply as her beloved child. The Lord made her forget His supreme position so their exchange of maternal love could unfold naturally.
- Even fear personified fears Kṛṣṇa, yet He wept in fear before Yaśodā’s rope. Remembering this scene, Kuntī praised the extraordinary love that could control the all-powerful Lord.
Try this today
Spend a minute remembering Kṛṣṇa’s tearful eyes before Yaśodā, then offer Him a simple, heartfelt prayer.
Ask yourself
What does Yaśodā’s loving relationship with Kṛṣṇa teach me about the value of affection in devotional service?
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.