Lord Acts to Attract Devotees

2014-09-11
Srimad Bhagavatam 10.50.05-06 - Lord Acts to Attract Devotees (download mp3)
by Hare Krishna Prabhu ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net

SB 10.50.5-6

niriksya tad-balam krsna

 udvelam iva sagaram

sva-puram tena samruddham

 sva-janam ca bhayakulam

cintayam asa bhagavan

 harih karana-manusah

tad-desa-kalanugunam

 svavatara-prayojanam

Translation:

Although Lord Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the original cause of this world, when He descended to the earth He played the role of a human being. Thus when He saw Jarasandha’s assembled army surrounding His city like a great ocean overflowing its shores, and when He saw how this army was striking fear into His subjects, the Lord considered what His suitable response should be according to the time, place and specific purpose of His current incarnation.

Purport:

The acaryas point out that the Supreme Godhead did not have to worry about a mortal attack from Jarasandha and his soldiers. But, as stated here, Sri Krsna was playing the part of a human being (karana-manusah), and He played the part well. This play is called lila, the Lord’s enactment of spiritual pastimes for the pleasure of His devotees. Although ordinary persons may be dumbfounded by the Lord’s pastimes, the devotees derive tremendous pleasure from His inimitable style of behavior. Thus Srila Sridhara Svami points out that Sri Krsna thought as follows: “How should I defeat Jarasandha? Should I kill the army but not Jarasandha, or should I kill Jarasandha and take the army for Myself? Or perhaps I should just kill both of them.” Lord Krsna’s conclusion is described in the following verses.