Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 9.24.57
Āśraya· The supreme shelterKṛṣṇa Descends Freely Out of Compassion
“O King, Mahārāja Parīkṣit, but for the Lord’s personal desire, there is no cause for His appearance, disappearance or activities. As the Supersoul, He knows everything. Consequently there is no cause that affects Him, not even the results of fruitive activities.”
What the purport teaches
- An ordinary living being must accept a body according to past karma. The material energy awards that body under the direction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Kṛṣṇa is never forced to appear and is not controlled by the results of activities. Everyone is under His control, and no one can equal or surpass Him.
- Kṛṣṇa descends out of merciful compassion for devotees and fallen souls. By His potency, He can deliver everyone, whether sinful or pious.
Try this today
Write one sentence explaining the difference between a living being’s birth and Kṛṣṇa’s appearance.
Ask yourself
How does Kṛṣṇa’s freely given compassion affect the way you think about His appearance?
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.