Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.70.45
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKṛṣṇa Kindly Honors His Servant’s Counsel
“Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: When His supporters, the Yādavas, objected to this proposal out of eagerness to defeat Jarāsandha, Lord Keśava turned to His servant Uddhava and, smiling, addressed him with fine words.”
What the purport teaches
- The Yādavas were eager to defeat Jarāsandha. Nārada’s proposal that Kṛṣṇa attend Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya sacrifice therefore did not much appeal to them.
- Kṛṣṇa understood His associates’ intentions because He is the ruler of even Lord Brahmā. To pacify them, He smiled and spoke to Uddhava with fine words.
- The Lord also smiled because He was about to demonstrate Uddhava’s brilliant ability to give counsel in difficult situations.
Try this today
When a disagreement arises today, pause and speak gently rather than adding to the tension.
Ask yourself
What do Kṛṣṇa’s smile and kind words show you about how He treats His servants?
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.