Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.19.10
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord’s Anxiety Is Compassion, Not Fear
“Lord Vāmanadeva continued: O King of the demons, after Lord Viṣṇu made this decision, He entered the body of His enemy Hiraṇyakaśipu, who was running after Him with great force. In a subtle body inconceivable to Hiraṇyakaśipu, Lord Viṣṇu, who was in great anxiety, entered Hiraṇyakaśipu’s nostril along with his breath.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Viṣṇu entered Hiraṇyakaśipu’s nostril along with his breath, in a subtle body inconceivable to him.
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead is already in the core of everyone’s heart. Therefore entering Hiraṇyakaśipu’s body was not at all difficult for Lord Viṣṇu.
- The Lord’s anxiety was not fear of Hiraṇyakaśipu. Out of compassion, He was concerned about how to act for his welfare.
Try this today
Pause today to remember the Lord in everyone’s heart, including someone you find difficult.
Ask yourself
How does the Lord’s concern for His enemy’s welfare deepen my appreciation of His compassion?
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.