Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 10.90.1-7
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Supreme Lord’s Sweet Pastimes
“Śukadeva Gosvamī said: The master of the goddess of fortune resided happily in His capital city, Dvārakā, which was endowed with all opulences and populated by the most eminent Vṛṣṇis and their gorgeously dressed wives. When these beautiful women in the bloom of youth would play on the city’s rooftops with balls and other toys, they shone like flashing lightning. The main streets of the city were always crowded with intoxicated elephants exuding mada, and also with cavalry, richly adorned infantrymen, and soldiers riding chariots brilliantly decorated with gold. Gracing the city were many gardens and parks with rows of flowering trees, where bees and birds would gather, filling all directions with their songs.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Kṛṣṇa, the master of the goddess of fortune, resided happily in Dvārakā, a city endowed with all opulences.
- The almighty Lord expanded into sixteen thousand forms, enjoying with each queen in her own residence and sporting with them in fragrant waters.
- Vaiṣṇava authors conclude a literary work in a mood of special sweetness. Accordingly, Śukadeva Gosvāmī closes this canto with Kṛṣṇa’s water sports and His queens’ prayers.
Try this today
Reread one description of Dvārakā today, remembering Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Ask yourself
How does this description help you appreciate the sweetness of the almighty 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.