Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.6.8
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Unlimited Lord Cannot Be Killed
“Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the all-pervading Supersoul, lying on the bed, understood that Pūtanā, a witch who was expert in killing small children, had come to kill Him. Therefore, as if afraid of her, Kṛṣṇa closed His eyes. Thus Pūtanā took upon her lap Him who was to be her own annihilation, just as an unintelligent person places a sleeping snake on his lap, thinking the snake to be a rope.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa, the all-pervading Supersoul, knew that Pūtanā had come to kill Him. He closed His eyes as if afraid.
- Although her motherly affection was artificial, Kṛṣṇa considered that He had to offer her a benediction.
- Pūtanā thought she could kill the very source of her annihilation. But Kṛṣṇa is unlimited, and no one can kill Him.
Try this today
Reflect for one minute on Kṛṣṇa’s response to Pūtanā’s appearance of motherly affection.
Ask yourself
What strikes you about Kṛṣṇa considering a benediction even when Pūtanā’s affection was artificial?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.