Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.1.8
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesAsk respectfully to deepen understanding
“My dear Śukadeva Gosvāmī, you have already explained that Saṅkarṣaṇa, who belongs to the second quadruple, appeared as the son of Rohiṇī named Balarāma. If Balarāma was not transferred from one body to another, how is it possible that He was first in the womb of Devakī and then in the womb of Rohiṇī? Kindly explain this to me.”
What the purport teaches
- Balarāma is Saṅkarṣaṇa Himself. He is well known as the son of Rohiṇī.
- Balarāma is also known as the son of Devakī. Parīkṣit Mahārāja wanted to understand the mystery of His being the son of both mothers.
- Parīkṣit Mahārāja asked Śukadeva Gosvāmī how Balarāma could be connected with both wombs without changing bodies. He respectfully requested an explanation.
Try this today
Write down Parīkṣit Mahārāja’s question in your own words, keeping it as a question rather than supplying an answer not yet given.
Ask yourself
What would you like to understand more clearly about Balarāma?
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.