Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.9.33
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesAttraction to Kṛṣṇa Without Fruitive Desires
“Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the intimate friend of Arjuna. He has appeared on this earth in His transcendental body, which resembles the bluish color of the tamāla tree. His body attracts everyone in the three planetary systems [upper, middle and lower]. May His glittering yellow dress and His lotus face, covered with paintings of sandalwood pulp, be the object of my attraction, and may I not desire fruitive results.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa appears by His internal potency. His beautiful transcendental body has nothing to do with anything materially created.
- Bhīṣmadeva remembers Kṛṣṇa’s glittering dress as Arjuna’s charioteer. The Lord is pleased when addressed together with His devotees.
- A genuine relationship with the Supreme Lord can take any of the five principal forms, without difference in transcendental degree. Bhīṣmadeva desires attraction to Kṛṣṇa without desire for fruitive results.
Try this today
Spend one minute remembering Kṛṣṇa’s yellow dress and lotus face as described here, and pray for attraction to Him without seeking a reward.
Ask yourself
How can I turn my attention toward Kṛṣṇa rather than the rewards I hope to receive?
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.