Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.77.23
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKṛṣṇa Plays a Human Role
“When He heard this disturbing news, Lord Kṛṣṇa, who was playing the role of a mortal man, showed sorrow and compassion, and out of love for His parents He spoke the following words like an ordinary conditioned soul.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Kṛṣṇa was playing the role of a mortal man when He heard the disturbing news.
- He showed sorrow and compassion out of love for His parents.
- He spoke like an ordinary conditioned soul. The translation describes His humanlike role, not an ordinary conditioned identity.
Try this today
Reread the verse slowly, noticing both Kṛṣṇa’s love for His parents and the words “playing the role.”
Ask yourself
What do you notice about the affection Kṛṣṇa expresses while playing a human role?
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.