Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.51.1-6
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSeeing Kṛṣṇa Is Not Enough
“Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Kālayavana saw the Lord come out from Mathurā like the rising moon. The Lord was most beautiful to behold, with His dark-blue complexion and yellow silk garment. Upon His chest He bore the mark of Śrīvatsa, and the Kaustubha gem adorned His neck. His four arms were sturdy and long. He displayed His ever-joyful lotuslike face, with eyes pink like lotuses, beautifully effulgent cheeks, a pristine smile and glittering shark-shaped earrings. The barbarian thought, “This person must indeed be Vāsudeva, since He possesses the characteristics Nārada mentioned: He is marked with Śrīvatsa, He has four arms, His eyes are like lotuses, He wears a garland of forest flowers, and He is extremely handsome. He cannot be anyone else. Since He goes on foot and unarmed, I will fight Him without weapons.” Resolving thus, he ran after the Lord, who turned His back and ran away. Kālayavana hoped to catch Lord Kṛṣṇa, though great mystic yogīs cannot attain Him.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Kṛṣṇa appeared most beautiful, with a dark-blue complexion, yellow silk garment and an ever-joyful lotuslike face.
- Although Kālayavana saw Kṛṣṇa with his own eyes, he could not adequately appreciate Him. Instead of worshiping the Lord, he attacked Him.
- The purport warns that people may attack Kṛṣṇa in the name of philosophy, law and order, or even religion. The proper response to the Supreme Lord is worship, not opposition.
Try this today
Read the description of Kṛṣṇa’s beauty slowly, then offer Him a brief prayer of appreciation.
Ask yourself
Am I approaching Kṛṣṇa with a desire to appreciate and worship Him?
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.