Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.29.3
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKṛṣṇa’s Flute Attracts the Gopīs’ Minds
“Lord Kṛṣṇa saw the unbroken disk of the full moon glowing with the red effulgence of newly applied vermilion, as if it were the face of the goddess of fortune. He also saw the kumuda lotuses opening in response to the moon’s presence and the forest gently illumined by its rays. Thus the Lord began to play sweetly on His flute, attracting the minds of the beautiful-eyed gopīs.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa saw the full moon, the opening kumuda lotuses and the gently illuminated forest. He then played sweet songs on His flute, attracting the gopīs’ minds.
- The moon’s reddish glow resembled the face of the goddess of fortune. The purport explains that ramā may also indicate Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, the original goddess of fortune.
- Kṛṣṇa appeared in the dynasty of the moon-god. Here the moon plays a prominent role in preparing for His entrance into the rāsa dance.
Try this today
Spend one quiet minute recalling Kṛṣṇa playing His sweet flute in the moonlit forest.
Ask yourself
Which detail in this scene most helps me turn my attention toward Kṛṣṇa?
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.