Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.16.35
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesApproach Kṛṣṇa With Humility and Respect
“Did our husband carefully perform austerities in a previous life, with his mind free of pride and full of respect for others? Is that why You are pleased with him? Or did he in some previous existence carefully execute religious duties with compassion for all living beings, and is that why You, the life of all living beings, are now satisfied with him?”
What the purport teaches
- The Nāgapatnīs wonder whether Kāliya previously performed austerities without pride or religious duties with compassion. They confirm that contact with Kṛṣṇa follows pious activities in devotional service.
- Devotional service should be performed by humbly chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. One should expect no honor for oneself while offering honor to others.
- The Nāgapatnīs are astonished that Kāliya’s sinful serpent body is being touched by the Lord’s lotus feet. Such contact is not the ordinary result of pious activities.
Try this today
Chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra today with a deliberate wish to serve humbly rather than receive recognition.
Ask yourself
How can I offer respect to others without expecting honor in return?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.