Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.4.14
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Supreme Lord Encourages the Humbled Visitors
“The Supreme Lord of lords then smiled slightly and told the representatives of heaven, who were bowing down before Him, “Please choose one of these women, whomever you find suitable for you. She will become the ornament of the heavenly planets.””
What the purport teaches
- The representatives of heaven bowed before the Supreme Lord of lords. He addressed them with a slight smile.
- Seeing their defeat, Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi was almost laughing, but His gravity kept Him from actually laughing.
- The Lord encouraged them to choose a woman suitable in character to themselves. She would become the ornament of the heavenly planets.
Try this today
Offer one gentle word of encouragement to someone who feels embarrassed, rather than laughing at them.
Ask yourself
How does the Lord’s treatment of the defeated visitors shape my treatment of someone who feels humbled?
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.