Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.21.14
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesListen to Kṛṣṇa With Undivided Attention
“O mother, in this forest all the birds have risen onto the beautiful branches of the trees to see Kṛṣṇa. With closed eyes they are simply listening in silence to the sweet vibrations of His flute, and they are not attracted by any other sound. Surely these birds are on the same level as great sages.”
What the purport teaches
- The birds resemble great sages: they live in the forest, close their eyes, remain silent and stay motionless.
- Kṛṣṇa’s flute-song is a completely spiritual vibration that overwhelms even great sages. The birds listen without attraction to any other sound.
- Even the branches are transformed in ecstasy by the flute-song. The birds cling to them to avoid falling as they close their eyes in bliss.
Try this today
Silence nearby distractions and spend one minute quietly remembering the birds listening to Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
What distractions could I set aside while giving my attention to Kṛṣṇa?
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.