Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.7.19
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesYaśodā Takes Shelter of Nārāyaṇa
“Feeling the child to be as heavy as the entire universe and therefore being anxious, thinking that perhaps the child was being attacked by some other ghost or demon, the astonished mother Yaśodā put the child down on the ground and began to think of Nārāyaṇa. Foreseeing disturbances, she called for the brāhmaṇas to counteract this heaviness, and then she engaged in her other household affairs. She had no alternative than to remember the lotus feet of Nārāyaṇa, for she could not understand that Kṛṣṇa was the original source of everything.”
What the purport teaches
- Astonished by Kṛṣṇa’s weight, mother Yaśodā placed Him on the ground. She remembered Nārāyaṇa and called the brāhmaṇas to counteract the disturbance.
- Kṛṣṇa is the heaviest of all heavy things, and everything rests upon Him. He pervades everything in His impersonal form, yet remains distinct.
- By the arrangement of Yoga-māyā, Yaśodā dealt with Kṛṣṇa as His real mother rather than understanding His supreme position. Her concern was to seek Nārāyaṇa’s shelter for her child’s safety.
Try this today
Pause during one worry today and remember the lotus feet of Nārāyaṇa.
Ask yourself
When I cannot understand a difficult situation, do I remember to seek the Lord’s shelter?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.