Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.23.52
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesFear Can Hold Back Surrender
“Thus reflecting on the sin they had committed by neglecting Lord Kṛṣṇa, they became very eager to see Him. But being afraid of King Kaṁsa, they did not dare go to Vraja.”
What the purport teaches
- Realizing their offense and appreciating Kṛṣṇa’s almighty position, the brāhmaṇas wanted to go to Vraja and surrender at His lotus feet.
- They feared that Kaṁsa would kill them if his spies reported their visit. Overcome by that fear, they did not go to see the Lord.
- Their wives, absorbed in ecstatic Kṛṣṇa consciousness, had gone to Him despite the danger. The brāhmaṇas had not reached that advanced platform and could not see Him face to face.
Try this today
Identify one fear that delays your devotional service, then take one small, safe step toward that service today.
Ask yourself
What fear holds me back from taking a small step in devotional service?
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.