Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.4.22
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord Relieves the Earth’s Burden
“To diminish the burden of the earth, the unborn Lord will take birth in the Yadu dynasty and perform feats impossible even for the demigods. Propounding speculative philosophy, the Lord, as Buddha, will bewilder the unworthy performers of Vedic sacrifices. And as Kalki the Lord will kill all the low-class men posing as rulers at the end of the Age of Kali.”
What the purport teaches
- The unborn Lord’s appearance in the Yadu dynasty refers to both Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma. Together They removed the demoniac rulers burdening the earth and performed deeds impossible even for the demigods.
- As Buddha, the Lord bewilders unworthy performers of Vedic sacrifices through speculative philosophy. The purport identifies misuse of sacrifice for gross sense gratification, including sinful animal killing, as low-class conduct.
- As Kalki, the Lord will kill the low-class men posing as rulers at the end of Kali. The purport describes such political leaders as committing atrocities in the name of state management.
Try this today
Before one devotional activity today, pause and make a clear intention to serve Kṛṣṇa rather than seek personal enjoyment.
Ask yourself
Does your approach to devotional service seek to serve the Lord or satisfy your own senses?
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.