Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.71.44-45
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKṛṣṇa Desires to Please Yudhiṣṭhira
“Desiring to please King Yudhiṣṭhira, the Lord resided at Indraprastha for several months. During His stay, He and Arjuna satisfied the fire-god by offering him the Khāṇḍava forest, and they saved Maya Dānava, who then built King Yudhiṣṭhira a celestial assembly hall. The Lord also took the opportunity to go riding in His chariot in the company of Arjuna, surrounded by a retinue of soldiers.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Kṛṣṇa remained for several months because He desired to please King Yudhiṣṭhira. The Supreme Personality of Godhead personally gave the King the pleasure of His company.
- With Arjuna’s help, Kṛṣṇa allowed Agni to devour the Khāṇḍava forest and saved Mayāsura from the fire. Feeling obliged to the Pāṇḍavas and Lord Kṛṣṇa, Mayāsura constructed a wonderful assembly house.
- During His stay, Kṛṣṇa enjoyed strolling here and there and riding in chariots with Arjuna. Many warriors and soldiers followed them.
Try this today
Set aside a few minutes today to remember Kṛṣṇa’s kindness in this passage and offer Him a prayer of gratitude.
Ask yourself
How can Mayāsura’s grateful response inspire me to offer practical service to Kṛṣṇa?
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.