Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.3.51
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesVasudeva Acts Under Yoga-māyā
“When Vasudeva reached the house of Nanda Mahārāja, he saw that all the cowherd men were fast asleep. Thus he placed his own son on the bed of Yaśodā, picked up her daughter, an expansion of Yoga-māyā, and then returned to his residence, the prison house of Kaṁsa.”
What the purport teaches
- At Nanda Mahārāja’s house, Vasudeva found the cowherd men fast asleep. He placed his son on Yaśodā’s bed and took her daughter, an expansion of Yoga-māyā.
- Vasudeva returned to Kaṁsa’s prison knowing that Kaṁsa would try to kill the girl. The purport describes his deep affection and attachment for his own son.
- The purport explains that Vasudeva should not be accused of callousness. His actions were impelled by the force of Yoga-māyā.
Try this today
Read the translation and purport together, noting Vasudeva’s affection and the stated influence of Yoga-māyā.
Ask yourself
How does the purport’s explanation of Yoga-māyā affect my understanding of Vasudeva’s difficult action?
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.