Today’s Lila: Kṛṣṇa visits Bahulāśva and Śrutadeva

Darśanam images on JAPA TIME are original devotional artistic renderings created to support remembrance of Krishna. They are inspired by śāstric descriptions and are not official BBT or ISKCON illustrations. If any senior Vaiṣṇava or responsible authority notices an inaccuracy, we will gratefully correct it.

Pramāṇa (Śāstra reference)

ŚB 10.86.13–15 introduces Śrutadeva, a peaceful and satisfied brāhmaṇa of Mithilā who is completely devoted to Kṛṣṇa and lives on whatever comes without special effort. The ruler of the same kingdom, Bahulāśva, is also free from false ego, and both devotees are very dear to Lord Acyuta (10.86.16). Pleased with them, Kṛṣṇa travels to Videha with Nārada, Vyāsadeva, Paraśurāma and other sages (10.86.17–18). The people welcome the Lord and drink in the beauty of His lotuslike face, generous smile and affectionate glance (10.86.19–23). Bahulāśva and Śrutadeva simultaneously fall at Kṛṣṇa’s feet and invite Him and the sages to their homes (10.86.24–25). Wanting to please them both, the Lord accepts both invitations and simultaneously enters both homes, while neither devotee can see Him entering the other’s house (10.86.26). Bahulāśva washes the guests’ feet with intense devotion and worships them opulently (10.86.27–30), glorifying the Lord’s pure devotee as especially dear to Him (10.86.31–36). Śrutadeva receives the Lord with equal enthusiasm: he dances in joy, seats the guests on grass mats, washes their feet with his wife, and offers whatever is available—fruit, water, tulasī, kuśa grass and lotus flowers (10.86.38–43). The illustration presents the simultaneous visits as one harmonious composition. The palace, cottage, arrangement of the guests, colors of clothing and visible offerings are artistic presentation; the two identical forms of Kṛṣṇa, the sages, the royal service and Śrutadeva’s simple gifts are directly grounded in the text.

Saṅkṣepa (short meaning)

Two devotees dear to Kṛṣṇa live in Mithilā: King Bahulāśva and the poor brāhmaṇa Śrutadeva. Both invite the Lord and the sages at the same moment. Wanting to please each of them, Kṛṣṇa simultaneously enters their two homes. Bahulāśva worships Him with royal opulence, while Śrutadeva offers what he has—grass mats, water, fruit, tulasī and lotus flowers. The Lord lovingly accepts both kinds of service, revealing that pure devotion surpasses outward wealth.

Śāstra-pramāṇa (key events from the text)

Śrutadeva is fulfilled in service to Kṛṣṇa

The brāhmaṇa Śrutadeva is peaceful, learned and completely satisfied by pure devotional service, maintaining his family with whatever naturally comes (10.86.13–15).
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.86.13)

Both devotees are dear to Acyuta

King Bahulāśva, like Śrutadeva, is free from false ego; despite their different positions, both are equally dear to the Lord (10.86.16).
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.86.16)

Kṛṣṇa travels to Videha

The Lord journeys to Mithilā with great sages, while residents come forward with gifts and affection to welcome Him (10.86.17–23).
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.86.17)

Two invitations at one moment

Bahulāśva and Śrutadeva simultaneously bow at Kṛṣṇa’s feet and invite the Lord and the sages to their homes (10.86.24–25).
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.86.24)

The Lord enters both homes

Wanting to please them both, Kṛṣṇa accepts both invitations and comes to each home simultaneously, unseen by the other host (10.86.26).
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.86.26)

Equal love receives different offerings

Bahulāśva serves with royal opulence and Śrutadeva with simple gifts available to his family; both welcome the Lord with deep devotion (10.86.27–43).
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.86.27-29)

Tattva (essential teachings) — with śāstra

Social position does not determine closeness to the Lord

A king and a poor brāhmaṇa are equally dear to Acyuta because both are free from pride and devoted to Him (10.86.16).

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.86.16

The Supreme Lord responds to every devotee

Kṛṣṇa rejects neither sincere invitation: He simultaneously enters both homes and personally pleases both devotees (10.86.26).

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.86.26

The pure devotee is especially dear to Kṛṣṇa

Bahulāśva remembers the Lord’s declaration that His unalloyed devotee is dearer to Him even than great celestial beings (10.86.32).

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.86.32

Love matters more than the price of an offering

Śrutadeva worships with what he has—fruit, water, tulasī, kuśa grass and lotuses; simplicity does not diminish the completeness of his service (10.86.41).

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.86.41

The Lord is close to everyone

Śrutadeva glorifies the Supreme Lord who enters the created universe and accompanies living beings as their eternal witness (10.86.44–45).

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.86.45

Sevā today (practice for this day)

1. Offer what you have

Today offer Kṛṣṇa a simple service without comparing yourself with others: attentive japa, a fruit, a flower, water, or a kind act for a devotee.

2. Do not judge devotion by wealth

Honor a person’s sincerity regardless of social position, resources or outward opportunities.

3. Read the exact source

Read ŚB 10.86.24–43, especially verse 10.86.26 on the simultaneous visits and the descriptions of both devotees’ service.

Wanting to please them both, the Lord accepted both their invitations. Thus He simultaneously went to both homes, and neither could see Him entering the other’s house.

— Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.86.26

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Kṛṣṇa simultaneously visits King Bahulāśva and the brāhmaṇa Śrutadeva