Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.45.13
Manvantara· The Manus and right dutyThe Supreme Lord Plays a Human Part
“The Lord told him: O mighty King, We are your subjects, so please command Us. Indeed, because of the curse of Yayāti, no Yadu may sit on the royal throne.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa asked Ugrasena to command Them as his subjects, anticipating that Ugrasena might ask Him to take the throne.
- Because of Yayāti’s ancient curse, princes of the Yadu dynasty technically could not occupy the royal throne. Kṛṣṇa therefore presented Himself and Balarāma as disqualified.
- Although Ugrasena could also be considered part of the Yadu dynasty, he could rule by the Lord’s order. These were pastimes the Supreme Lord enjoyed while playing the part of a human being.
Try this today
Reread Kṛṣṇa’s request to Ugrasena, remembering that His subordinate role is a pastime of the Supreme Lord.
Ask yourself
How can you recognize Kṛṣṇa’s supremacy even when He acts as a subject?
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.