Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.1.11-12
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesKṛṣṇa Directs Events as Time Personified
“The sages Viśvāmitra, Asita, Kaṇva, Durvāsā, Bhṛgu, Aṅgirā, Kaśyapa, Vāmadeva, Atri and Vasiṣṭha, along with Nārada and others, once performed fruitive rituals that award abundant pious results, bring great happiness and take away the sins of Kali-yuga for the whole world by merely being recounted. The sages duly executed these rituals in the home of the chief of the Yadus, Vasudeva, the father of Lord Kṛṣṇa. After Lord Kṛṣṇa, who was staying in Vasudeva’s house as time personified, respectfully sent the sages off at the conclusion of the ceremonies, they went to the holy place called Piṇḍāraka.”
What the purport teaches
- The sages performed rituals in Vasudeva’s home that were pious in all respects. They brought abundant pious results and great joy, and merely glorifying them removes sinful reactions of Kali-yuga.
- The sages were satisfied with proper gifts. Kṛṣṇa then respectfully sent them to the nearby holy place Piṇḍāraka.
- Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, was present as time personified. This indicates that the time for His dynasty’s destruction was approaching according to His desire.
Try this today
Read aloud the translation’s account of the auspicious rituals and Kṛṣṇa’s respectful farewell to the sages.
Ask yourself
What does Kṛṣṇa’s respectful treatment of the sages teach me about honoring saintly people?
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.