Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.1.9
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesReceive Kṛṣṇa’s Words as Nectar
“Lord Kṛṣṇa was sent by Arjuna into the assembly as the spiritual master of the whole world, and although His words were heard by some [like Bhīṣma] as pure nectar, it was not so for the others, who were completely bereft of the last farthing of past pious works. The King [Dhṛtarāṣṭra or Duryodhana] did not take the words of Lord Kṛṣṇa very seriously.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa is everyone’s Lord and the spiritual master of the entire universe. Yet out of friendship with Arjuna, He gladly accepted the role of messenger on a peace mission.
- Bhīṣma and other great leaders relished His message because the Lord Himself spoke it. This shows the beauty of His relationship with His pure devotees.
- Duryodhana or Dhṛtarāṣṭra did not take His message seriously because their past pious results were exhausted. Godhead’s message is always nectar to devotees, but nondevotees receive it in the opposite way.
Try this today
Reread this verse and pause to appreciate Kṛṣṇa’s willingness to serve as His devotee’s messenger.
Ask yourself
Do I receive Kṛṣṇa’s guidance with appreciation, or dismiss what I do not wish to hear?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.