Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.8.7
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesConsider the Consequences Before Acting
“Garga Muni said: My dear Nanda Mahārāja, I am the priestly guide of the Yadu dynasty. This is known everywhere. Therefore, if I perform the purificatory process for your sons, Kaṁsa will consider Them the sons of Devakī.”
What the purport teaches
- Garga Muni was widely known as the priestly guide of the Yadu dynasty.
- He indirectly disclosed that Kṛṣṇa was the son of Devakī, not of Yaśodā. His performing the ceremony could confirm this connection in Kaṁsa’s mind.
- Kaṁsa was already searching for Kṛṣṇa, so news of the ceremony could create a catastrophe. Although Nanda Mahārāja belonged to the Yadu dynasty, he was not acting as a kṣatriya.
Try this today
Before sharing information about someone today, pause to consider whether sharing it could put them at risk.
Ask yourself
Do I consider possible harm before carrying out a well-intended action?
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.