Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.8.17
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionKṛṣṇa Appears to Protect the People
“O Nanda Mahārāja, as recorded in history, when there was an irregular, incapable government, Indra having been dethroned, and people were being harassed and disturbed by thieves, this child appeared in order to protect the people and enable them to flourish, and He curbed the rogues and thieves.”
What the purport teaches
- Garga Muni recalled a time when Indra had been dethroned and the government was incapable. Thieves harassed and disturbed the people.
- Kṛṣṇa appeared to protect the people and enable them to flourish. He curbed the rogues and thieves.
- Indra is the king of the universe, but demons and rogues repeatedly disturb him. When these enemies become prominent, Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, appears.
Try this today
Reread the translation today and identify the two purposes stated for Kṛṣṇa’s appearance: protection and helping people flourish.
Ask yourself
How does Kṛṣṇa’s protection of troubled people shape my understanding of His appearances?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.