Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.21.19
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesWonder at Kṛṣṇa’s Flute and Cowherding Beauty
“My dear friends, as Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma pass through the forest with Their cowherd friends, leading Their cows, They carry ropes to bind the cows’ rear legs at the time of milking. When Lord Kṛṣṇa plays on His flute, the sweet music causes the moving living entities to become stunned and the nonmoving trees to tremble with ecstasy. These things are certainly very wonderful.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma lead Their cows through the forest with Their cowherd friends. Their equipment includes ropes used to bind the cows’ rear legs during milking.
- Their ropes are made of yellow cloth, with clusters of pearls at both ends. Worn on Their heads or carried on Their shoulders, these ropes become beautiful decorations.
- Kṛṣṇa’s sweet flute-song makes moving beings stand still and nonmoving trees tremble in ecstasy. The gopīs marvel at these wonderful responses.
Try this today
Spend one minute picturing Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma with Their decorated cowherding ropes.
Ask yourself
Which detail of Kṛṣṇa’s cowherding pastimes awakens wonder in me?
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.