Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.88.27-28
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionDivine Protection Comes With Humility
“The Supreme Lord, who relieves His devotees’ distress, had seen from afar that Lord Śiva was in danger. Thus by His mystic Yoga-māyā potency He assumed the form of a brahmacārī student, with the appropriate belt, deerskin, rod and prayer beads, and came before Vṛkāsura. The Lord’s effulgence glowed brilliantly like fire. Holding kuśa grass in His hand, He humbly greeted the demon.”
What the purport teaches
- The Supreme Lord relieves His devotees’ distress. Seeing Lord Śiva’s danger from afar, He approached Vṛkāsura.
- By His Yoga-māyā potency, He assumed the form of a brahmacārī student. Though His effulgence glowed like fire, He greeted the demon humbly.
- Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that the disguised Lord spoke of all created beings as worthy of respect. He also honored Vṛkāsura as the son of Śakuni, a wise man who performed great austerities.
Try this today
Offer a courteous greeting today to someone you find difficult to respect.
Ask yourself
How can I show respect without approving of someone’s harmful behavior?
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.