Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.71.28
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesAffection and Respect Have Their Place
“After Arjuna had embraced Him once more and Nakula and Sahadeva had offered Him their obeisances, Lord Kṛṣṇa bowed down to the brāhmaṇas and elders present, thus properly honoring the respectable members of the Kuru, Sṛñjaya and Kaikaya clans.”
What the purport teaches
- Arjuna was considered Kṛṣṇa’s social equal. When he tried to bow down, Kṛṣṇa held his arms so that he could only embrace Him.
- Nakula and Sahadeva were junior cousins. They bowed down and grasped Lord Kṛṣṇa’s feet.
- Kṛṣṇa bowed to the brāhmaṇas and elders, properly honoring the respectable members of the Kuru, Sṛñjaya and Kaikaya clans.
Try this today
Offer a thoughtful, respectful greeting to an elder today, remembering Kṛṣṇa’s example.
Ask yourself
How can affection and appropriate respect support each other in your relationships?
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.