Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.8.37-39
Āśraya· The supreme shelterEverything Comes From Govinda
“When Kṛṣṇa opened His mouth wide by the order of mother Yaśodā, she saw within His mouth all moving and nonmoving entities, outer space, and all directions, along with mountains, islands, oceans, the surface of the earth, the blowing wind, fire, the moon and the stars. She saw the planetary systems, water, light, air, sky, and creation by transformation of ahaṅkāra. She also saw the senses, the mind, sense perception, and the three qualities, goodness, passion and ignorance. She saw the time allotted for the living entities, she saw natural instinct and the reactions of karma, and she saw desires and different varieties of bodies, moving and nonmoving. Seeing all these aspects of the cosmic manifestation, along with herself and Vṛndāvana-dhāma, she became doubtful and fearful of her son’s nature.”
What the purport teaches
- Mother Yaśodā saw the cosmic manifestation within Kṛṣṇa’s mouth, including herself and Vṛndāvana-dhāma. She saw both physical elements and subtle realities such as the mind, desires and reactions of karma.
- All cosmic manifestations come from Govinda, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Material nature, including creation, maintenance and annihilation, works under His control.
- Because everything comes from Govinda, everything could be visible within His mouth. Mother Yaśodā’s intense maternal affection left her filled with fear and wonder at what she saw.
Try this today
Look at one part of nature today and remember that it comes from Govinda and works under His control.
Ask yourself
How does recognizing Govinda as the source of everything change the way you view the world?
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.