Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.9.19
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesPure Love Moves the Independent Lord
“O Mahārāja Parīkṣit, this entire universe, with its great, exalted demigods like Lord Śiva, Lord Brahmā and Lord Indra, is under the control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Yet the Supreme Lord has one transcendental attribute: He comes under the control of His devotees. This was now exhibited by Kṛṣṇa in this pastime.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, controls the entire universe and its powerful demigods. Yet He agrees to come under the control of His devotees.
- He is not controlled by a servant’s power, but by the servant’s pure love. Devotees can understand this power of unalloyed devotional service.
- Kṛṣṇa always remains fully independent. His willingness to become subordinate to His devotees increases His transcendental pleasure.
Try this today
Before one act of devotional service today, pause and make pleasing Kṛṣṇa your intention.
Ask yourself
How does Kṛṣṇa’s willing response to pure love deepen my understanding of devotional service?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.