Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.35.4-5
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKṛṣṇa’s Flute Captivates the Animals
“O girls! This son of Nanda, who gives joy to the distressed, bears steady lightning on His chest and has a smile like a jeweled necklace. Now please hear something wonderful. When He vibrates His flute, Vraja’s bulls, deer and cows, standing in groups at a great distance, are all captivated by the sound, and they stop chewing the food in their mouths and cock their ears. Stunned, they appear as if asleep, or like figures in a painting.”
What the purport teaches
- The “steady lightning” on the Supreme Lord’s chest refers to the goddess of fortune who resides there. His brilliant smile is compared to a jeweled necklace.
- Hearing His flute, the animals of Vṛndāvana become stunned in ecstasy. They stop chewing and cannot swallow their food.
- In separation from Kṛṣṇa, the gopīs marvel at the extraordinary effect of His flute-playing. They describe the son of Nanda as one who gives joy to the distressed.
Try this today
Set aside one quiet minute to read this description of Kṛṣṇa without distractions.
Ask yourself
What do the animals’ stillness and attentive ears help you notice about hearing of 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.