Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.11.8
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKṛṣṇa Delights His Relatives Through Play
“Sometimes mother Yaśodā and her gopī friends would tell Kṛṣṇa, “Bring this article” or “Bring that article.” Sometimes they would order Him to bring a wooden plank, wooden shoes or a wooden measuring pot, and Kṛṣṇa, when thus ordered by the mothers, would try to bring them. Sometimes, however, as if unable to raise these things, He would touch them and stand there. Just to invite the pleasure of His relatives, He would strike His body with His arms to show that He had sufficient strength.”
What the purport teaches
- Mother Yaśodā and her gopī friends sometimes asked Kṛṣṇa to bring a wooden plank, wooden shoes or a wooden measuring pot.
- Kṛṣṇa would try to bring these articles. Sometimes He would simply touch them and stand there, as if unable to lift them.
- To give pleasure to His relatives, He would strike His body with His arms to show that He had sufficient strength.
Try this today
Recall one detail of this scene today and reflect on the pleasure it gave Kṛṣṇa’s relatives.
Ask yourself
How does Kṛṣṇa’s wish to please His relatives shape your reading of His actions?
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.