Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.63.6
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesŚiva’s Battle Reveals Kṛṣṇa’s Supreme Glory
“Lord Rudra, accompanied by his son Kārtikeya and the Pramathas, came riding on Nandi, his bull carrier, to fight Balarāma and Kṛṣṇa on Bāṇa’s behalf.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Rudra came on Nandi with Kārtikeya and the Pramathas to fight on Bāṇa’s behalf. Śrīla Śrīdhara Svāmī explains that Śiva knew Kṛṣṇa’s greatness and his own coming defeat, yet fought to demonstrate the Supreme Personality of Godhead’s glories.
- Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura explains that Śiva fought to increase Kṛṣṇa’s pleasure and enthusiasm. He also wished to show that Kṛṣṇa, despite His humanlike pastimes, is superior to other avatāras.
- Yoga-māyā, Kṛṣṇa’s internal potency, bewildered Śiva and made him enthusiastic to battle the Lord. Her work is to make fine arrangements for Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes.
Try this today
Offer a short prayer asking that your devotional service contribute to Kṛṣṇa’s pleasure.
Ask yourself
How does the purport change your understanding of Śiva’s apparent opposition to Kṛṣṇa?
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.