Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.70.39
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionKṛṣṇa’s Pastimes Illuminate the Path to Shelter
“The living being caught in the cycle of birth and death does not know how he can be delivered from the material body, which brings him so much trouble. But You, the Supreme Lord, descend to this world in various personal forms, and by performing Your pastimes You illumine the soul’s path with the blazing torch of Your fame. Therefore I surrender unto You.”
What the purport teaches
- In the bodily concept of existence, material desires lead the living being to accept one material body after another. Absorbed in this condition, one does not know how to become free.
- Out of causeless mercy, Kṛṣṇa descends to display illuminating and glorious transcendental pastimes.
- Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme, Parabrahman; His humanlike pastimes resemble an actor playing a role different from his own identity. Nārada therefore takes shelter of Him.
Try this today
Reread this translation and offer a brief prayer asking Kṛṣṇa for shelter.
Ask yourself
How can remembering Kṛṣṇa’s merciful pastimes help me turn toward His shelter?
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.