Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.50.5-6
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Supreme Lord Plays a Human Role
“Although Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the original cause of this world, when He descended to the earth He played the role of a human being. Thus when He saw Jarāsandha’s assembled army surrounding His city like a great ocean overflowing its shores, and when He saw how this army was striking fear into His subjects, the Lord considered what His suitable response should be according to the time, place and specific purpose of His current incarnation.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the original cause of this world. He did not need to fear a mortal attack.
- Yet He played the role of a human being, considering the time, place and purpose of His descent when His subjects became afraid.
- This enactment of spiritual pastimes is called līlā. Devotees derive tremendous pleasure from the Lord’s inimitable behavior.
Try this today
Spend a minute rereading this pastime with the intention of appreciating Kṛṣṇa rather than judging Him as an ordinary person.
Ask yourself
How does knowing Kṛṣṇa’s supreme position change your understanding of His humanlike deliberation?
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.