Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.85.27-28
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDevakī Brings Her Sorrow to the Lord
“At that time, O best of the Kurus, the universally worshiped Devakī took the opportunity to address her two sons, Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. Previously she had heard with astonishment that They had brought Their spiritual master’s son back from death. Now, thinking of her own sons who had been murdered by Kaṁsa, she felt great sorrow, and thus with tear-filled eyes she beseeched Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma.”
What the purport teaches
- Devakī had heard with astonishment that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma brought Their spiritual master’s son back from death. Remembering her sons murdered by Kaṁsa, she appealed to Them with tear-filled eyes.
- Her lamentation somewhat distracted her love for Kṛṣṇa. He arranged to relieve her of the mistaken idea that anyone other than Him was actually her son.
- Devakī is worshiped by all great souls. Her display of maternal affection was an effect of the Lord’s Yoga-māyā, His internal energy, which increases the pleasure of His pastimes.
Try this today
Offer one present sorrow to Kṛṣṇa in a brief, sincere prayer.
Ask yourself
What does Devakī’s appeal teach you about turning toward Kṛṣṇa in sorrow?
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.