Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.39.5
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKaṁsa’s Prosperity Threatens Others’ Well-Being
“But, my dear Akrūra, as long as King Kaṁsa — that disease of our family who goes by the name “maternal uncle” — is still prospering, why should I even bother to ask about the well-being of our family members and his other subjects?”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa called Kaṁsa a disease of their family, despite his title of maternal uncle.
- As long as Kaṁsa prospered, the well-being of their family remained in doubt.
- Kṛṣṇa’s concern extended beyond His relatives to Kaṁsa’s other subjects.
Try this today
Reflect briefly on the contrast in this verse between Kaṁsa’s prosperity and his subjects’ well-being.
Ask yourself
Do I consider how someone’s harmful conduct affects people beyond their own family?
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.