Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.1.53
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesServe Kṛṣṇa with Your Best Effort
“Vasudeva’s mind was full of anxiety because his wife was facing danger, but in order to please the cruel, shameless and sinful Kaṁsa, he externally smiled and spoke to him as follows.”
What the purport teaches
- Vasudeva was full of anxiety, yet he smiled outwardly to please Kaṁsa. The purport explains that dangerous situations may require diplomacy to carry out one's duties.
- Vasudeva did everything possible to save Devakī for the sake of Kṛṣṇa's appearance. His diplomacy served Kṛṣṇa and His interests.
- Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is all-powerful, yet His devotee should not sit idly and leave everything to Him. A devotee must try their best in devotional service to fulfill His purpose.
Try this today
Choose one small act of service to Kṛṣṇa and carry it out today rather than postponing it.
Ask yourself
Where might I be leaving everything to Kṛṣṇa instead of making my own sincere effort to serve Him?
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.