Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.82.3-6
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord Teaches Through His Actions
“After ridding the earth of kings, Lord Paraśurāma, the foremost of warriors, created huge lakes from the kings’ blood at Samantaka-pañcaka. Although he is never tainted by karmic reactions, Lord Paraśurāma performed sacrifices there to instruct people in general; thus he acted like an ordinary person trying to free himself of sins. From all parts of Bhārata-varṣa a great number of people now came to that Samanta-pañcaka on pilgrimage. O descendant of Bharata, among those arriving at the holy place were many Vṛṣṇis, such as Gada, Pradyumna and Sāmba, hoping to be relieved of their sins; Akrūra, Vasudeva, Āhuka and other kings also went there. Aniruddha remained in Dvārakā with Sucandra, Śuka and Sāraṇa to guard the city, together with Kṛtavarmā, the commander of their armed forces.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Paraśurāma created great lakes after ridding the earth of kings. Though never touched by karmic reactions, He performed sacrifices there to instruct people in general.
- Many people from Bhārata-varṣa came to Samanta-pañcaka on pilgrimage. Among them were Vṛṣṇis and other kings seeking relief from sins.
- Aniruddha remained in Dvārakā with others to protect the city. The purport explains that He is originally Lord Viṣṇu’s manifestation as guardian of the spiritual planet Śvetadvīpa.
Try this today
Choose one responsibility today and carry it out carefully, remembering those who stayed to guard Dvārakā.
Ask yourself
What can I learn from Lord Paraśurāma’s willingness to teach through His own example?
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.