Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.30.34
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKṛṣṇa’s Love Is Free from Material Lust
“[Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued:] Lord Kṛṣṇa enjoyed with that gopī, although He enjoys only within, being self-satisfied and complete in Himself. Thus by contrast He showed the wretchedness of ordinary lusty men and hardhearted women.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Kṛṣṇa is self-satisfied and complete in Himself. His loving activities take place on the liberated platform, without selfish desire or material lust.
- The path of developing love for Kṛṣṇa requires freedom from illicit sex, gambling, intoxication, and eating meat, fish or eggs. His pure beauty is perceived by the soul’s eye, anointed with love of Godhead.
- Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Absolute Truth, is the source of pure spiritual beauty and romance. The goal is to develop love for Him, and truly realizing His pastimes frees one from sexual desire.
Try this today
Review the four regulative principles named in the purport and choose one concrete way to support your faithful observance today.
Ask yourself
Am I approaching Kṛṣṇa’s activities as pure spiritual love rather than ordinary material romance?
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.