Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.13.30
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesAffection Overcomes the Rough Path
“When the cows saw their own calves from the top of Govardhana Hill, they forgot themselves and their caretakers because of increased affection, and although the path was very rough, they ran toward their calves with great anxiety, each running as if with one pair of legs. Their milk bags full and flowing with milk, their heads and tails raised, and their humps moving with their necks, they ran forcefully until they reached their calves to feed them.”
What the purport teaches
- Usually, cows and calves pasture separately. Elderly men care for the cows, while small children look after the calves.
- On seeing their calves below Govardhana Hill, the cows forgot themselves and their caretakers because of increased affection. They rushed toward the calves despite the rough path.
- With heads and tails raised and milk flowing, the cows ran forcefully until they reached their calves to feed them. Their front and hind legs moved together as they ran.
Try this today
Spend a minute reflecting on the cows’ affection, which moved them to cross the rough path to feed their calves.
Ask yourself
What impresses me about the cows’ eagerness to reach and nourish their calves?
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.