Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.3.23
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDevakī Prays With Affection and Astonishment
“Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thereafter, having seen that her child had all the symptoms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Devakī, who was very much afraid of Kaṁsa and unusually astonished, began to offer prayers to the Lord.”
What the purport teaches
- Devakī saw that her child had all the symptoms of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Astonished and afraid of Kaṁsa, she began offering prayers.
- Devakī and Vasudeva knew that Kaṁsa could not kill their child. Yet their affection and remembrance of Kaṁsa’s atrocities made them fear for Kṛṣṇa.
- The purport emphasizes Devakī’s astonishment. It compares this with devotees wondering whether the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement will face destruction or advance without fear.
Try this today
Offer a brief prayer to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, honestly expressing one fear and your desire to serve Him.
Ask yourself
What does Devakī’s prayer teach me about turning to the Lord while feeling afraid?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.