Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.25.29
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesLoving Service in Each Relationship
“All the residents of Vṛndāvana were overwhelmed with ecstatic love, and they came forward and greeted Śrī Kṛṣṇa according to their individual relationships with Him — some embracing Him, others bowing down to Him, and so forth. The cowherd women presented water mixed with yogurt and unbroken barleycorns as a token of honor, and they showered auspicious benedictions upon Him.”
What the purport teaches
- Overwhelmed with ecstatic love, the residents greeted Kṛṣṇa according to their individual relationships with Him. They regarded Him as younger, equal or superior and dealt with Him accordingly.
- His superiors blessed Him and asked whether He was tired or in pain; His equals laughed and joked with Him. Those younger bowed at His feet and massaged them.
- The cowherd women and the wives of the brāhmaṇas offered auspicious items, including yogurt and unbroken grains. Their blessings expressed wishes that Kṛṣṇa protect decent people and give pleasure to His parents.
Try this today
Offer Kṛṣṇa a respectful bow today, taking a moment to express your affection.
Ask yourself
How do these different expressions of affection help you understand loving 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.