Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.43.17
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesOur Love Is Meant for Kṛṣṇa
“The various groups of people in the arena regarded Kṛṣṇa in different ways when He entered it with His elder brother. The wrestlers saw Kṛṣṇa as a lightning bolt, the men of Mathurā as the best of males, the women as Cupid in person, the cowherd men as their relative, the impious rulers as a chastiser, His parents as their child, the King of the Bhojas as death, the unintelligent as the Supreme Lord’s universal form, the yogīs as the Absolute Truth and the Vṛṣṇis as their supreme worshipable Deity.”
What the purport teaches
- The people in the arena perceived Kṛṣṇa in different moods according to their relationship with Him. Those who saw Him as threatening failed to understand the actual position of the Personality of Godhead.
- Kṛṣṇa is everyone’s friend and well-wisher. He is merciful even when He chastises those who rebel against Him.
- Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the supreme object of all rasas, the tastes of relationship; our love and affection are meant for Him. Rather than seek fulfillment in material relationships disconnected from Him, we should surrender to Kṛṣṇa, love Him and His devotees, and pursue loving devotional service.
Try this today
Offer one small act of kindness to a devotee today as an expression of your desire to serve Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
How can you direct more of your affection toward Kṛṣṇa and His devotees?
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.