Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.66.12-14
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesImitating the Lord’s Appearance
“Pauṇḍraka’s friend, the King of Kāśī, followed behind, O King, leading the rear guard with three akṣauhiṇī divisions. Lord Kṛṣṇa saw that Pauṇḍraka was carrying the Lord’s own insignia, such as the conchshell, disc, sword and club, and also an imitation Śārṅga bow and Śrīvatsa mark. He wore a mock Kaustubha gem, was decorated with a garland of forest flowers and was dressed in upper and lower garments of fine yellow silk. His banner bore the image of Garuḍa, and he wore a valuable crown and gleaming, shark-shaped earrings.”
What the purport teaches
- The King of Kāśī followed his friend Pauṇḍraka with three military divisions guarding the rear.
- When the two kings came to oppose Him, Lord Kṛṣṇa saw Pauṇḍraka face to face for the first time.
- Pauṇḍraka carried the Lord’s insignia and copied His dress. His imitation Śārṅga bow, Śrīvatsa mark and mock Kaustubha gem were part of this disguise.
Try this today
Read the description of Pauṇḍraka’s dress once more, noting which items are explicitly called imitations.
Ask yourself
What difference do I see between copying the Lord’s appearance and serving 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.