Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.69.15
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKṛṣṇa Teaches Respect for Saintly Persons
“The Lord bathed Nārada’s feet and then put the water on His own head. Although Lord Kṛṣṇa is the supreme spiritual authority of the universe and the master of His devotees, it was proper for Him to behave in this way, for His name is Brahmaṇya-deva, “the Lord who favors the bṛāhmaṇas.” Thus Śrī Kṛṣṇa honored the sage Nārada by bathing his feet, even though the water that bathes the Lord’s own feet becomes the Ganges, the ultimate holy shrine.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa washed Nārada’s feet and placed the water on His own head. This suited His name Brahmaṇya-deva, the Lord who favors the brāhmaṇas.
- The Lord’s own lotus feet are the source of the most holy Ganges. He therefore did not need to purify Himself by washing Nārada’s feet.
- Kṛṣṇa enjoyed the pastimes of a perfect human being. Nārada understood that the Lord acted this way to teach everyone how to respect saintly persons.
Try this today
Offer a respectful greeting or a brief message of appreciation to a saintly devotee today.
Ask yourself
How does knowing Kṛṣṇa’s purpose change your understanding of His humble action?
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.