Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.69.20-22
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKṛṣṇa’s Simultaneous Presence Astonishes Nārada
“There he saw the Lord playing at dice with His beloved consort and His friend Uddhava. Lord Kṛṣṇa worshiped Nārada by standing up, offering him a seat, and so on, and then, as if He did not know, asked him, “When did you arrive? What can needy persons like Us do for those who are full in themselves? In any case, My dear brāhmaṇa, please make My life auspicious.” Thus addressed, Nārada was astonished. He simply stood up silently and went to another palace.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Kṛṣṇa acted as if He did not know what had happened in the palace of Rukmiṇī. He welcomed Nārada by standing up and offering him a seat.
- Nārada understood that Lord Kṛṣṇa was simultaneously present in both palaces, performing different activities.
- In great astonishment over the Lord’s activities, Nārada simply left the palace silently.
Try this today
Read Kṛṣṇa’s words of welcome again, then pause quietly to reflect on His astonishing activities.
Ask yourself
What about Kṛṣṇa’s welcome and simultaneous presence inspires wonder in you?
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.