Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.4.14
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesWonder Opens the Way to Humility
“After hearing the words of the goddess Durgā, Kaṁsa was struck with wonder. Thus he approached his sister Devakī and brother-in-law Vasudeva, released them immediately from their shackles, and very humbly spoke as follows.”
What the purport teaches
- Kaṁsa was astonished that Durgā had appeared as Devakī’s daughter and that the eighth child was female.
- Seeing Durgā’s eight-armed form changed his view of Devakī as an ordinary human being. He thought she must possess transcendental qualities.
- Kaṁsa immediately released Devakī and Vasudeva from their shackles and spoke humbly. He wanted to compensate for his atrocities against his sister.
Try this today
Take one small step today to repair a wrong you have done to someone.
Ask yourself
When I recognize that I have treated someone wrongly, am I ready to act humbly?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.