Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 19.197
Awe and Reverence Hamper Parental Love
“ ‘When Devakī and Vasudeva understood that their two sons Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma, who had paid obeisances to them, were the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they became fearful and did not embrace Them.’
What the purport teaches
- After Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma killed Kaṁsa, Vasudeva and Devakī were released from their shackles. Their sons then offered respects to them.
- The parents wanted to embrace their sons, but understood that Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma were the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- They therefore became fearful and hesitated to embrace Them. Their parental love was hampered and decreased by awe and reverence.
Try this today
Write one sentence explaining why the parents held back from embracing their sons.
Ask yourself
How did recognizing their sons’ divine position affect Vasudeva and Devakī’s wish to embrace Them?
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.