Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.33.16
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKṛṣṇa Plays with His Spiritual Potencies
“In this way Lord Kṛṣṇa, the original Lord Nārāyaṇa, master of the goddess of fortune, took pleasure in the company of the young women of Vraja by embracing them, caressing them and glancing lovingly at them as He smiled His broad, playful smiles. It was just as if a child were playing with his own reflection.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Kṛṣṇa, the original Lord Nārāyaṇa and master of the goddess of fortune, alone is the Supreme Absolute Truth. His unlimited potencies take personal forms and engage Him in His pastimes.
- By Kṛṣṇa’s desire, His spiritual energy Yoga-māyā manifests the gopīs. In the rāsa dance, He manifests Himself as many times as there are potencies represented by them.
- His loving play is compared to a child playing with his own reflection. Created by His spiritual potency to enhance His transcendental emotions, these pastimes are eternal and self-manifesting.
Try this today
Before rereading the verse, recall that Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes arise from His spiritual potency and are eternal.
Ask yourself
How does understanding the gopīs as Kṛṣṇa’s spiritual potencies shape your reading of this pastime?
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.