Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.13.5
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesVṛndāvana’s Beauty Welcomes Kṛṣṇa’s Pastimes
“My dear friends, just see how this riverbank is extremely beautiful because of its pleasing atmosphere. And just see how the blooming lotuses are attracting bees and birds by their aroma. The humming and chirping of the bees and birds is echoing throughout the beautiful trees in the forest. Also, here the sands are clean and soft. Therefore, this must be considered the best place for our sporting and pastimes.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa invites His friends to notice the beautiful riverbank, its soft, clean sand, and its pleasing atmosphere.
- Blooming lotuses attract bees and birds, whose sounds echo among the trees. Kṛṣṇa considers this an excellent place for their play.
- Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Vṛndāvana’s bird-filled atmosphere continued through the time of the Vaiṣṇava ācāryas. He also describes these pleasing sounds around the Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma temple.
Try this today
Read Kṛṣṇa’s description slowly and pause to picture the sounds and beauty of the riverbank.
Ask yourself
Which detail helps me appreciate the setting of Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes?
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.