Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.37.15-20
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord’s Heroic Pastimes Inspire Glorification
“In just two days, O almighty Lord, I will see the deaths of Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika and other wrestlers, along with those of the elephant Kuvalayāpīḍa and King Kaṁsa — all by Your hand. Then I will see You kill Kālayavana, Mura, Naraka and the conch demon, and I will also see You steal the pārijāta flower and defeat Indra. I will then see You marry many daughters of heroic kings after paying for them with Your valor. Then, O Lord of the universe, in Dvārakā You will deliver King Nṛga from a curse and take for Yourself the Syamantaka jewel, together with another wife. You will bring back a brāhmaṇa’s dead son from the abode of Your servant Yamarāja, and thereafter You will kill Pauṇḍraka, burn down the city of Kāśī and slay Dantavakra, and You will also put an end to the King of Cedi during the great Rājasūya sacrifice. I shall see all these heroic pastimes, along with many others You will perform during Your residence in Dvārakā. These pastimes are glorified on this earth in the songs of transcendental poets.”
What the purport teaches
- The speaker looks forward to seeing the almighty Lord kill Cāṇūra, Muṣṭika, Kuvalayāpīḍa and Kaṁsa, along with other enemies.
- The foretold pastimes also include the Lord’s marriages, His deliverance of King Nṛga from a curse, and His bringing back a brāhmaṇa’s dead son.
- The Lord will perform these and many other heroic pastimes during His residence in Dvārakā. Transcendental poets glorify them in songs on earth.
Try this today
Choose one pastime named in this translation and write one sentence of praise without adding details.
Ask yourself
Which of the pastimes mentioned here most draws me to glorify the Lord?
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.