Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.26.25
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionKṛṣṇa’s Compassion Invites Loving Devotional Service
“Indra became angry when his sacrifice was disrupted, and thus he caused rain and hail to fall on Gokula, accompanied by lightning and powerful winds, all of which brought great suffering to the cowherds, animals and women there. When Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is by nature always compassionate, saw the condition of those who had only Him as their shelter, He smiled broadly and lifted Govardhana Hill with one hand, just as a small child picks up a mushroom to play with it. Holding up the hill, He protected the cowherd community. May He, Govinda, the Lord of the cows and the destroyer of Indra’s false pride, be pleased with us.”
What the purport teaches
- Angry that his sacrifice was disrupted, Indra brought a destructive storm upon Gokula. Naturally compassionate Kṛṣṇa saw the suffering of those who had only Him as their shelter and effortlessly lifted Govardhana Hill to protect them.
- Kṛṣṇa is the Lord of the cows and the real ruler of everyone. The demigods are merely His servants, representing His supreme will.
- The cowherd men repeatedly remembered Kṛṣṇa’s lifting of Govardhana Hill. The purport concludes that soberly considering His activities leads one to surrender to Him and become His eternal devotee in loving devotional service.
Try this today
Recall Kṛṣṇa lifting Govardhana Hill, then offer this prayer: “May Govinda be pleased with us.”
Ask yourself
How does Kṛṣṇa’s compassionate protection encourage me to seek His shelter and serve Him?
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.