Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.8.7
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Supreme Lord Models Respectful Conduct
“Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa then prepared for His departure. He invited the sons of Pāṇḍu, after having been worshiped by the brāhmaṇas, headed by Śrīla Vyāsadeva. The Lord also reciprocated greetings.”
What the purport teaches
- Although Kṛṣṇa appeared as a kṣatriya, the brāhmaṇas headed by Śrīla Vyāsadeva knew Him to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They therefore worshiped Him.
- The Lord reciprocated their greetings to honor the social order. He observed the custom that a kṣatriya respects the orders of the brāhmaṇas.
- Though receiving the honor due the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa did not neglect customary social conduct. He deliberately set an example for others to follow.
Try this today
Offer a thoughtful, respectful greeting to a teacher or elder today.
Ask yourself
How can you show respect without feeling that your own position is diminished?
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.