Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.9.11
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesLoving Affection Flows Through Tears
“The sons of Mahārāja Pāṇḍu were sitting silently nearby, overtaken with affection for their dying grandfather. Seeing this, Bhīṣmadeva congratulated them with feeling. There were tears of ecstasy in his eyes, for he was overwhelmed by love and affection.”
What the purport teaches
- After Mahārāja Pāṇḍu’s death, his young sons grew up under the affection of their elders, especially Bhīṣmadeva.
- Bhīṣmadeva knew that the Pāṇḍavas were innocent and had been unnecessarily troubled. Yet political reasons had prevented him from taking their side.
- Seeing his grandsons sitting gently beside him, Bhīṣmadeva remembered their sufferings and could not restrain his loving tears. Satisfied that Yudhiṣṭhira had become king instead of Duryodhana, he congratulated them.
Try this today
Tell a loved one that you recognize a difficulty they have faced and sincerely appreciate their present well-being.
Ask yourself
How can I acknowledge both the hardships and the happiness of someone I love?
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.