Daily Devotion -Mar 1, 2026 (English)- Shri Krishna's Quality
Shri Krishna describes His quality of being bhakt-vatsal (the One who has boundless love for His devotees) in His own words -
The narrative of devotee Ambarish and sage Durvasa. King Ambarish had invited the sage Durvasa and his disciples to a meal. Sage Durvasa accepted. At that time, Ambarish was observing a fast in honor of Shri Krishna. And it was the auspicious time to break the fast by partaking of the sanctified food (pārāyaṇ). However, sage Durvasa did not return on time after bathing in the Ganga with his disciples for their meal. So, on the advice of Brahmans, Ambarish just took a few drops of water with a tulsi leaf in it to break his fast. Durvasa, who was bathing in the Ganga, saw through his divine vision that Ambarish had broken his fast without feeding him first. He became angry, thinking Ambarish had insulted him. Ambarish explained that he had meant no disrespect; he had only done what the situation required. But Durvasa disagreed and declared that he would punish Ambarish. Ambarish agreed to accept whatever punishment Durvasa decided.
A devotee never insists he has done no wrong; this is not his principle at all. Even if he has done nothing wrong, he apologizes. Such a person is a bhakt. This is the teaching Shri Maharaj Ji gives us. Even though Ambarish was a God-realized saint, he said, "If I have done any wrong, I accept any punishment you wish to give." So Durvasa summoned the demoness Kritya to behead Ambarish. Ambarish politely bowed his head, saying, “Everyone has to die someday anyway. If my being beheaded will satisfy your anger, so be it.”
At this point, Shri Krishna, seated within Ambarish, became angry upon seeing his devotee in trouble. He summoned the Sudarshan Chakra and first beheaded Kritya. Then the chakra began pursuing Durvasa. Durvasa ran to Shankar, Brahma, and others, but they all said that only Ambarish could forgive him; even Shri Krishna could not protect him now. So he came and fell at Ambarish's feet, accepting his mistake. Then Shri Krishna appeared before them. Ambarish requested Shri Krishna to forgive Durvasa. Shri Krishna then signaled to the Sudarshan Chakra to stop.
Shri Krishna told Durvasa -
ahaṃ bhaktaparādhīno hyasvataṃtra iva dvija। sādhubhirgrastahṛdayo bhaktairbhaktajanapriyaḥ।
I am under the control of My devotees. I am not independent. I am not free to act in any way before My devotees, although otherwise I am completely free to do whatever I wish. I do not expect anything even from My own self in the presence of My devotee. I can even disregard Mahalakshmi for the sake of My devotee. It is impossible for Me to think of anyone other than My devotees who have fully surrendered themselves to Me. The devotee is My heart, and I am his heart. My devotee knows nothing except Me, and I wish to know nothing except him.
Shri Krishna told Uddhav -
na tathā me priyatama ātmayonirna śaṃkaraḥ। na ca saṃkarṣaṇo na śrīrnaivātmā ca yathā bhavān॥
I love My devotee even more than My son Brahma, Shankar, and My consort Lakshmi. What more can I say? My devotee is dearer to me than My own soul.
anuvrajāmyahaṃ nityaṃ pūyeyetyaṅghrireṇubhiḥ
I walk behind My devotees so that their foot-dust may fall on Me and I may become pure.
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