Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.6.48-49
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesHear, Remember and Glorify Kṛṣṇa Together
“O greatest of mystics, although we are conditioned souls wandering on the path of fruitive work, we will certainly cross beyond the darkness of this material world simply by hearing about Your Lordship in the association of Your devotees. Thus we are always remembering and glorifying the wonderful things You do and the wonderful things You say. We ecstatically recall Your amorous pastimes with Your confidential conjugal devotees and how You boldly smile and move about while engaged in such youthful pastimes. My dear Lord, Your loving pastimes are bewilderingly similar to the activities of ordinary people within this material world.”
What the purport teaches
- Uddhava humbly presents himself as a conditioned soul entangled in fruitive work. Yet he is confident of crossing illusion by hearing about Kṛṣṇa in the association of His devotees.
- Even someone who outwardly appears involved in the material world is considered liberated when always engaged in Lord Kṛṣṇa’s service. Remembering and chanting His glorious activities and words is central to this service.
- Absorbing oneself in the incomparable bliss of thinking of the Lord’s abode brings freedom from lamentation, illusion and fear. Uddhava recommends remembering and glorifying the Lord’s pastimes.
Try this today
Today, read a passage about Kṛṣṇa’s words or activities with a devotee, and share one thing you want to remember.
Ask yourself
How could hearing about Kṛṣṇa with His devotees become a more regular part of my life?
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.