Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.60.12
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesUnderstanding the Lord’s Teasing Words
“Terrified of these kings, O lovely-browed one, We took shelter in the ocean. We have become enemies of powerful men, and We practically abandoned Our royal throne.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa describes Himself as afraid of kings and sheltered in the ocean. Some authorities explain that He speaks this way to provoke anger in Rukmiṇī, who remains sober, free from jealousy and pleasing in speech.
- The Lord opposed almost all the contemporary kings, befriending only a few. He had appeared to relieve the earth’s burden of innumerable bogus kings.
- His words about abandoning the throne refer to His humility. After killing Kaṁsa, He gave the royal throne to His grandfather Ugrasena, although He Himself was entitled to it.
Try this today
Write down the purport’s explanation of one of Kṛṣṇa’s statements about Himself.
Ask yourself
How does the purport help you understand Kṛṣṇa’s words without mistaking them for weakness?
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.