Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 3.2.8
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesRecognize Kṛṣṇa and Value Service
“This universe with all its planets is most unfortunate. And even more unfortunate are the members of the Yadu dynasty because they could not identify Lord Hari as the Personality of Godhead, any more than the fish could identify the moon.”
What the purport teaches
- Kṛṣṇa displayed wealth, strength, fame, beauty, knowledge and renunciation. Yet many failed to recognize Him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Even constant company with the Lord did not ensure recognition of His supremacy. Like fish mistaking the moon for one of themselves, people regarded Him as merely an extraordinary person.
- Although Uddhava knew Kṛṣṇa’s supreme position, he regretted not properly using his opportunity for devotional service. His sense of misfortune arose from excessive love and separation.
Try this today
Reflect on Kṛṣṇa’s six opulences, then take one small opportunity to serve Him today.
Ask yourself
Am I using my opportunities to serve Kṛṣṇa, rather than only knowing about Him?
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.