Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.17.36
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSurrender to Kṛṣṇa and Remain Peaceful
“My dear Lord, I am also the creation of one of Your energies, composed of the three modes of material nature. Consequently I am bewildered by Your activities. Even the activities of Your devotees cannot be understood, and what to speak of Your pastimes. Thus everything appears to us to be contradictory and wonderful.”
What the purport teaches
- The earth says that, being composed of the three modes of material nature, she is bewildered by the Lord’s activities. His activities are uncommon and wonderful, and must be accepted as inconceivable.
- Kṛṣṇa is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, eternally existing in Goloka Vṛndāvana. God is one, yet He eternally expands Himself in innumerable forms.
- There is a great plan behind all the Lord’s activities, even when they appear contradictory. The best course is to surrender to Him wholeheartedly and, being protected by Him, remain peaceful.
Try this today
Offer a brief prayer of surrender to Kṛṣṇa today, asking to serve Him wholeheartedly and remain peaceful under His protection.
Ask yourself
Where can I replace my demand to understand everything with wholehearted surrender to Kṛṣṇa?
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.