Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 17.138
Kṛṣṇa’s Pastimes Attracted Śukadeva Gosvāmī
“ ‘Let me offer my respectful obeisances unto my spiritual master, the son of Vyāsadeva, Śukadeva Gosvāmī. It is he who defeats all inauspicious things within this universe. Although in the beginning he was absorbed in the happiness of Brahman realization and was living in a secluded place, giving up all other types of consciousness, he became attracted by the most melodious pastimes of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. He therefore mercifully spoke the supreme Purāṇa, known as Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which is the bright light of the Absolute Truth and which describes the activities of Lord Kṛṣṇa.’
What the purport teaches
- Sūta Gosvāmī offers respectful obeisances to his spiritual master, Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the son of Vyāsadeva, who defeats all inauspicious things within the universe.
- Although Śukadeva Gosvāmī was absorbed in the happiness of Brahman realization and lived in seclusion, he became attracted by Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s most melodious pastimes.
- He mercifully spoke Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the supreme Purāṇa. It is the bright light of the Absolute Truth and describes Lord Kṛṣṇa’s activities.
Try this today
Read a short passage from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam today with gratitude for Śukadeva Gosvāmī’s mercy in speaking it.
Ask yourself
What does Śukadeva Gosvāmī’s attraction to Kṛṣṇa’s pastimes suggest about their spiritual value?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.