Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.9.39
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRemember Kṛṣṇa Through Loving Service
“At the moment of death, let my ultimate attraction be to Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead. I concentrate my mind upon the chariot driver of Arjuna who stood with a whip in His right hand and a bridle rope in His left, who was very careful to give protection to Arjuna’s chariot by all means. Those who saw Him on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra attained their original forms after death.”
What the purport teaches
- A pure devotee naturally remembers the Lord through pure love and spontaneous affection. Remembering His personal form, holy name, fame and pastimes brings the devotee into samādhi, or trance.
- Bhīṣmadeva constantly remembered Kṛṣṇa as Pārtha-sārathi, the chariot driver protecting Arjuna. This pastime and the Lord’s relationship with His eternal companions are eternal.
- By Kṛṣṇa’s causeless mercy, those who saw Him on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra attained their original spiritual forms after death. Remembering the Personality of Godhead at death leads to this highest perfection.
Try this today
Spend one quiet minute remembering Kṛṣṇa holding the whip and bridle rope while carefully protecting Arjuna’s chariot.
Ask yourself
What draws your affection toward Kṛṣṇa as the protector of His devotee?
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.