Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.13.39
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKṛṣṇa Remains One While Becoming Many
“Lord Baladeva said, “O supreme controller! These boys are not great demigods, as I previously thought. Nor are these calves great sages like Nārada. Now I can see that You alone are manifesting Yourself in all varieties of difference. Although one, You are existing in the different forms of the calves and boys. Please briefly explain this to Me.” Having thus been requested by Lord Baladeva, Kṛṣṇa explained the whole situation, and Baladeva understood it.”
What the purport teaches
- At Balarāma’s request, Kṛṣṇa explained that Brahmā had stolen the boys and calves. Kṛṣṇa concealed their absence by expanding Himself, and Balarāma understood this as His opulence.
- Although Kṛṣṇa is one, He can expand into thousands and millions of forms and still remain one. Everything is an expansion either of Kṛṣṇa Himself or of His potency.
- Spirit and matter come from the same source but remain distinct as superior and inferior energies. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s teaching of acintya-bhedābheda recognizes simultaneous oneness and difference, like fire and heat.
Try this today
Write one sentence explaining why sharing a source does not make spirit and matter identical.
Ask yourself
How does the example of fire and heat help me understand both oneness and difference?
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.