Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.85.18
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRecognizing the Supreme Lord Beyond Family Affection
“You are not our sons but the very Lords of both material nature and its creator [Mahā-Viṣṇu]. As You Yourself have told us, You have descended to rid the earth of the rulers who are a heavy burden upon her.”
What the purport teaches
- Vasudeva acknowledges that the two Lords are not merely their sons but the controllers of material nature and its creator, Mahā-Viṣṇu.
- Although Lord Kṛṣṇa had explained His mission to remove the earth's burdensome rulers, His parents still thought of Him as their helpless son needing protection from Kaṁsa.
- In reality, Vasudeva and Devakī were participating in the Lord's divine birth pastime under His internal energy. Vasudeva criticizes himself only out of transcendental humility.
Try this today
Reread Vasudeva's acknowledgment of the Lords' supremacy, then reflect briefly on his humility.
Ask yourself
How does Vasudeva's humility deepen my appreciation of his relationship with the Lord?
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.