Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.89.43-44
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionKṛṣṇa Intervenes When Arjuna’s Search Fails
“Not seeing the brāhmaṇa’s child there, Arjuna went to the cities of Indra, Agni, Nirṛti, Soma, Vāyu and Varuṇa. With weapons at the ready he searched through all the domains of the universe, from the bottom of the subterranean region to the roof of heaven. Finally, not having found the brāhmaṇa’s son anywhere, Arjuna decided to enter the sacred fire, having failed to keep his promise. But just as he was about to do so, Lord Kṛṣṇa stopped him and spoke the following words.”
What the purport teaches
- Arjuna searched the cities of Indra, Agni, Nirṛti, Soma, Vāyu and Varuṇa, and the domains of the universe, but did not find the child.
- Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī explains that Arjuna trusted Lord Śiva implicitly as his guru and therefore did not search Lord Śiva’s celestial abode.
- Having failed to keep his promise, Arjuna decided to enter the sacred fire. Lord Kṛṣṇa stopped him just as he was about to do so.
Try this today
Recall one disappointment and pause before judging yourself harshly; reread how Kṛṣṇa stopped Arjuna.
Ask yourself
How does Kṛṣṇa’s intervention help me reflect on responding to failure?
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.