Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.53.18-19
Ūti· What drives us to actUnited Armies Cannot Overcome the Supreme Lord
“To secure the bride for Śiśupāla, the kings who envied Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma came to the following decision among themselves: “If Kṛṣṇa comes here with Balarāma and the other Yadus to steal the bride, we shall band together and fight Him.” Thus those envious kings went to the wedding with their entire armies and a full complement of military conveyances.”
What the purport teaches
- The kings who envied Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma planned to secure the bride for Śiśupāla. They agreed to fight Kṛṣṇa together if He came to take her.
- They arrived with their entire armies and military conveyances, thinking themselves unified and strong. The word saṁhatāḥ can mean “bound tightly together.”
- Saṁhatāḥ can also mean “thoroughly struck down” or “killed.” They could not successfully oppose Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and would instead be struck down.
Try this today
Before one shared activity today, pause and set an intention to serve Kṛṣṇa rather than act from envy.
Ask yourself
Does your cooperation with others help you serve Kṛṣṇa, or strengthen resistance to 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.