Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.11.20
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesLove Inspires Service to Kṛṣṇa
“My dear Mahārāja Parīkṣit, because of intense love and affection, mother Yaśodā, Kṛṣṇa’s mother, considered Kṛṣṇa, who was at the peak of all opulences, to be her own son. Thus she took Kṛṣṇa by the hand, along with Balarāma, and brought Them home, where she performed her duties by fully bathing Them, dressing Them and feeding Them.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa is at the peak of all opulences and is always neat and clean. He does not need to be washed, bathed or dressed.
- Because of intense love and affection, mother Yaśodā considered Kṛṣṇa her ordinary child. She took Him and Balarāma by the hand and brought Them home.
- She bathed, dressed and fed Them, doing her duties to keep her son brilliant. Her loving care shows service offered to Kṛṣṇa even though He needs nothing.
Try this today
Spend one minute remembering Yaśodā bathing, dressing and feeding Kṛṣṇa with affection.
Ask yourself
How does Yaśodā’s care help me understand service motivated by love rather than by Kṛṣṇa’s need?
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.