Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.16.24
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord’s Humility Never Diminishes Him
“Dear Lord, You never want the auspicious path to be destroyed, for You are the reservoir of all goodness. Just to benefit people in general, You destroy the evil element by Your mighty potency. You are the proprietor of the three creations and the maintainer of the entire universe. Therefore Your potency is not reduced by Your submissive behavior. Rather, by submission You exhibit Your transcendental pastimes.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa’s respectful behavior toward His devotees never reduces His position as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His behavior is exemplary.
- The Lord’s form is eternal, spiritual, and full of bliss and knowledge. Living entities are His parts and parcels, but contact with māyā covers their original spiritual nature.
- The Lord’s appearances reveal His real characteristics to souls who have forgotten their relationship with Him. He acts for their benefit and protects the path of goodness.
Try this today
Reread the translation and take a moment to remember that the Lord’s humility does not lessen His supreme position.
Ask yourself
How does the Lord’s respectful behavior deepen my appreciation of His greatness?
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.