Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.4.3
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSeek Kṛṣṇa’s Mercy Before Death
“Kaṁsa immediately got up from bed, thinking, “Here is Kāla, the supreme time factor, which has taken birth to kill me!” Thus overwhelmed, Kaṁsa, his hair scattered on his head, at once approached the place where the child had been born.”
What the purport teaches
- Kaṁsa saw the child as Kāla, the supreme time factor, yet thought he could save himself by killing the child.
- Kāla is another name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead when He appears to kill. At death, even the atheist must submit, lose all possessions and accept another body.
- The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement teaches us not to waste our time merely acting as worldly protectors. We should seek Kṛṣṇa’s mercy, for without Kṛṣṇa consciousness we continue wandering through birth and death.
Try this today
Set aside a few minutes today for devotional service to Kṛṣṇa rather than postponing it.
Ask yourself
Am I making time to seek Kṛṣṇa’s mercy, or only attending to temporary concerns?
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.