Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.24.1
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesHear About the Lord’s Wonderful Incarnation
“Mahārāja Parīkṣit said: The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, is eternally situated in His transcendental position, yet He descends to this material world and manifests Himself in various incarnations. His first incarnation was that of a great fish. O most powerful Śukadeva Gosvāmī, I wish to hear from you the pastimes of that fish incarnation.”
What the purport teaches
- Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, remains eternally transcendental even when He descends into this material world.
- Although all-powerful, the Lord accepted the form of an uncommon fish. This is one of His ten original incarnations.
- Mahārāja Parīkṣit expressed his desire to hear the pastimes of this fish incarnation from Śukadeva Gosvāmī.
Try this today
Reread the translation slowly, with the desire to hear about the Lord’s pastimes.
Ask yourself
What would you like to understand about the Lord’s acceptance of an uncommon fish form?
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.