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Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.29.1

Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devotees

Kṛṣṇa’s Loving Pastimes Are Spiritual

“Śrī Bādarāyaṇi said: Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, full in all opulences, yet upon seeing those autumn nights scented with blossoming jasmine flowers, He turned His mind toward loving affairs. To fulfill His purposes He employed His internal potency.”

Śrīla Prabhupāda · Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.29.1, translation

What the purport teaches

  • Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, full in all opulences. He is satisfied in Himself and free of all material desire.
  • When Kṛṣṇa desired to enjoy loving affairs, He employed His internal spiritual potency. His pastimes are spiritually pure, not expressions of material need.
  • Human conjugal love is only a reflection of spiritual reality. The gopīs of Vṛndāvana are Kṛṣṇa’s internal potency, and His love with them is transcendental.

Try this today

Reread the translation once, keeping in mind that Kṛṣṇa acts through His spiritual potency.

Ask yourself

How does knowing that Kṛṣṇa is fully satisfied change the way I understand His loving pastimes?

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.

One of the 108 chosen lessons, close to this verseUse Your Resources for Others' WelfareSB 10.22.35Next · LeadTeach what you are livingTurn this chapter into a timed class plan or a short reel script.Open Lecture Studio