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Shastra-marga Darsanam — daily lila contemplation

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A daily darsanam page: image + shastra pramana + practice. Hari Bol!

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.

Today's Lila

Varuna honors Lord Krishna and returns Nanda Maharaja — the Lord protects His devotee from the waters
Śāstra-mārga Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.28
Varuna honors Lord Krishna and returns Nanda Maharaja — the Lord protects His devotee from the waters
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 28, verses 1-10

Pramāṇa (Śāstra reference)

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 28, verses 1-10 describes how Nanda Maharaja observed Ekadashi and entered the Yamuna at night on Dvadashi. A servant of Varuna seized him and brought him to Varuna's abode. Hearing the cries of the cowherd men, Lord Krishna went there. Varuna worshiped the Lord with great honor, praised Him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and returned Nanda Maharaja.

Saṅkṣepa (short meaning)

This lila reveals Krishna's intimate protection of His devotee and the hidden majesty within Vraja sweetness. Nanda Maharaja is outwardly an elderly cowherd father, yet because he belongs to Krishna, even the guardians of the universe must honor him. Varuna recognizes Krishna as the Supreme Lord and understands that his servant has acted improperly. Krishna calmly retrieves His father and brings joy back to the cowherd community. The lila teaches that no place, even the depths of the waters, is beyond the Lord's protection.

Śāstra-pramāṇa (key points from the text)

Nanda observes Ekadashi
Nanda Maharaja observes Ekadashi and enters the Yamuna at night on Dvadashi.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 28, verses 1-10)
Varuna's servant takes him
A servant of Varuna seizes Nanda Maharaja and brings him to Varuna's abode.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 28, verses 1-10)
The cowherds call for help
The cowherd men cry out to Krishna and Balarama when Nanda disappears.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 28, verses 1-10)
Krishna enters Varuna's realm
Lord Krishna goes to the abode of Varuna to protect His father and devotee.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 28, verses 1-10)
Varuna worships Krishna
Varuna honors Krishna with worship and praises Him as the Supreme Lord.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 28, verses 1-10)
The offense is corrected
Varuna explains that his servant acted foolishly and begs the Lord's mercy.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 28, verses 1-10)
Nanda returns to Vraja
Krishna brings Nanda Maharaja back, and the residents of Vraja are filled with wonder.
(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 28, verses 1-10)

Tattva (essential teaching) — with śāstra

Krishna protects in every realm
The Lord's protection reaches His devotee even in places hidden from ordinary sight.
The devas are servants of the Lord
Varuna's worship shows that the cosmic rulers stand under Krishna's supreme authority.
Vraja sweetness contains majesty
The residents of Vraja see Krishna with intimate love, while His divine greatness remains fully present.
Shelter is never lost
One who belongs to Krishna is never abandoned, even when danger appears suddenly.

Sevā today (practice for this day)

1. Chant for shelter
Chant one attentive round praying, “O Krishna, please protect me when I cannot protect myself.”
2. Remember unseen protection
Remember that the Lord sees His devotee even in hidden danger.
3. Offer gratitude
Offer gratitude for the unseen ways Krishna has returned you to safety.
No realm is beyond Krishna's protection when His devotee calls for shelter.
— Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 10, Chapter 28, verses 1-10

How to use this darśanam page

View the image, read the narration and śāstra-pramāṇa, contemplate the tattva, and complete the practice through seva. Follow the sequence: darśana → śravaṇa → manana → seva.

Darsanam Archive

Browse previous darsanam pages from the archive. Search and sorting work across all archived lilas, while the grid shows 6 items per page with Older/Newer navigation.

Previous lila archive — 118 pages

Direct links to previous lilas, available even without JavaScript.

  1. Vidura leaves his bow at the palace door and departs from Hastināpura
  2. Agastya Muni welcomes Lord Rāma and gives Him Viṣṇu’s divine bow
  3. Garga Muni gives Lord Balarāma the names Rāma, Bala and Saṅkarṣaṇa
  4. Hanumān brings the mountain of healing herbs for Lakṣmaṇa
  5. Lord Rāma embraces Bharata after returning from exile
  6. Jaḍa Bharata protects ants while carrying King Rahūgaṇa’s palanquin
  7. Bharata Mahārāja becomes attached to the deer calf
  8. The four Kumāras smell tulasī at the Lord’s lotus feet
  9. Kardama Muni receives the darśana of Lord Viṣṇu
  10. Lord Ṛṣabhadeva instructs His sons at Brahmāvarta
  11. Bharata receives Lord Rāma’s sandals at Chitrakūṭa
  12. The brāhmaṇas’ wives bring offerings to Kṛṣṇa
  13. Subhadrā-haraṇa-līlā — Arjuna carries Subhadrā away from Dvārakā
  14. Nārada visits Krishna in Dvārakā — the Lord washes the sage’s feet
  15. Bhramara-gītā — Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī speaks to Krishna’s messenger bee
  16. Krishna returns Sāndīpani Muni’s son — perfect guru-dakṣiṇā
  17. Krishna and Balarama defeat Chanura and Mushtika — truth overcomes an unjust contest
  18. Krishna defeats Kuvalayapida — the Lord clears the entrance to Kamsa’s arena
  19. Akrura’s vision in the Yamuna — Lord Vasudeva appears upon Ananta Sesha
  20. The appearance of Hayagriva — the Lord restores the Vedic knowledge
  21. Krishna stops Bhima from killing Duryodhana unfairly — the Lord keeps strength under dharma
  22. Arjuna receives the Pāśupatāstra — Lord Shiva grants the divine weapon after testing him
  23. Rājasūya-yajña of Yudhiṣṭhira — Lord Krishna is honored as the supreme guest
  24. Shukadeva comes to Parikshit on the bank of the Ganga — the Bhagavatam is about to be spoken
  25. Brahma’s prayers after creation — the first-born creator seeks the Lord’s mercy
  26. Dhenukasura-lila — Lord Balarama slays the donkey demon in Talavana
  27. Angada comes as envoy to Ravana’s assembly — Rama’s message stands before pride
  28. Sakshi-Gopala-lila — Lord Gopala becomes the witness for His devotee
  29. Bakasura-lila — Lord Krishna kills the crane-demon Bakasura
  30. Childhood lilas of Nimai in Navadvipa — the Lord makes everyone chant the Holy Name
  31. Nimai defeats Keshava Kashmiri — the Lord humbles the conquering scholar with divine wisdom
  32. Parijata-harana-lila — Lord Krishna brings the celestial Parijata tree to Dvaraka
  33. Krishna and Balarama study under Sandipani Muni — the Supreme Lord teaches by His own example
  34. Pralambasura-lila — Lord Balarama slays the demon Pralamba
  35. The Ratha-yātrā of Lord Jagannātha — Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu dances before the Lord
  36. Mohini-murti distributes the nectar to the demigods — the Lord protects the cosmic order
  37. Isvara Puri bestows mercy upon Lord Caitanya — the sacred initiation at Gaya
  38. Saci-mata sees the Lord after sannyasa — the mother beholds Mahaprabhu again in sacred separation
  39. Aghasura-lila — Lord Krishna enters the demon’s mouth to save the cowherd boys
  40. The story of Rantideva — the king gives away even his last water out of compassion
  41. Lord Caitanya in Ratha-yatra — Mahaprabhu dances before Lord Jagannatha’s chariot in ecstatic sankirtana
  42. Maya-danava builds the assembly hall — the wondrous Maya-sabha of Indraprastha is created for the Pandavas
  43. Narakasura-vadha-lila — Lord Krishna kills Narakasura and restores divine order
  44. Kesi-vadha-lila — Lord Krishna destroys the horse-demon Kesi
  45. Brahma steals the cowherd boys and calves — Krishna reveals that no one can bewilder the Supreme Lord
  46. Raghunatha Dasa Goswami receives the mercy of Nityananda Prabhu — Panihati mercy descends through humble surrender
  47. Samba’s marriage abduction — the Yadu prince carries away Lakshmana in the kshatriya spirit
  48. Krishna breaks the sacrificial bow in Mathura — the Lord shatters the pride of Kamsa’s power
  49. Lord Rama meets Guha — the Lord receives the devotion of His forest friend
  50. Ugrasena regains the kingdom — Lord Krishna restores the rightful king to the throne
  51. Lord Krishna visits Indraprastha — the Pandavas receive the Lord with love and honor
  52. The deliverance of King Nriga — Krishna frees the cursed king from the body of a lizard
  53. Shishupala-vadha-lila — Lord Krishna slays Shishupala at the Rajasuya sacrifice
  54. Mother Yashoda sees the universe in Krishna’s mouth — the Lord reveals all existence within Himself
  55. Liberation of Devaki and Vasudeva — Krishna and Balarama release Their parents from bondage
  56. Trinavarta carries away Krishna — the whirlwind demon is crushed by the weight of the Lord
  57. Ashvatthama releases the weapon against the Pandavas — Krishna guides Arjuna to stop destruction
  58. Lord Rama performs the last rites for Jatayu — the Lord honors His devoted servant
  59. Salva-vadha-lila — Lord Krishna destroys Salva and the flying Saubha city
  60. Shakatasura-bhanjana-lila — baby Krishna breaks the cart demon
  61. Jatayu fights for Sita — fearless service in defense of the Lord’s beloved
  62. Vamanadeva asks Bali for three steps of land — the Lord comes in humility to reveal true surrender (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Canto 8)
  63. Hanuman’s Great Leap to Lanka — the devotee’s impossible service made possible by devotion (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Sundara-kāṇḍa)
  64. Rama, Sita and Lakshmana cross the Ganga — the Lord protects those who take shelter (Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa)
  65. Rāma–Hanumān-āliṅgana-līlā — Lord Rāma embraces Hanumān (the Lord’s mercy to His devotee)
  66. Rukmini‑harana‑līlā — Krishna carries away Rukmini (SB 10.53)
  67. Syamantaka-lila — Krishna returns the Syamantaka jewel
  68. Vibhishana-saranagati-lila — Vibhishana surrenders to Lord Rama
  69. Lord Chaitanya in the Jhārikhaṇḍa Forest — the Holy Name brings harmony (Chaitanya-charitrita, Madhya-lila 17)
  70. Hanuman brings Sita Rama’s ring in Ashoka-vana (Ramayana, Sundara-kanda)
  71. Krishna accepts Vidura’s simple hospitality — devotion is greater than wealth (Mahabharata, Udyoga Parva)
  72. Abhimanyu’s humility before battle — Krishna’s blessing
  73. Bhima saved after poisoning — mercy in the realm of the Nagas (Mahabharata)
  74. Arjuna saves the horses — a protective astra
  75. Krishna protects Uttara — the divine shield of mercy
  76. Krishna comforts Kunti — mercy and guidance in the royal palace
  77. Rama blesses Hanuman — the Lord honors His devoted servant
  78. King Prithu receives Lord Vishnu’s divine appearance
  79. Gandhari curses Krishna — Grief, Blame and the Lord’s Steadiness (Mahabharata)
  80. Krishna and Arjuna — the divine “false sunset” on Kurukshetra (Mahabharata)
  81. Krishna instructs Arjuna on Kurukshetra — the moment of surrender (Bhagavad-gita)
  82. Krishna's vow on the battlefield — Arjuna restrains the Lord
  83. Viśvarūpa Darśana — Arjuna beholds the Universal Form
  84. Bhīṣma‑śara‑śayyā‑līlā — Bhīṣma‑upadeśa
  85. Krishna in the Kuru Assembly — The Lord speaks in the royal court (Mahabharata)
  86. Rupa–Sanatana Siksha-lila — Mahaprabhu Instructs Rupa & Sanatana
  87. Kūrma‑avatāra‑līlā — Samudra‑manthana‑ārambha (The churning of the Ocean begins)
  88. Varāhāvatāra-līlā — Bhū-devī-uddharaṇa (Lord Varāha rescues Mother Earth)
  89. Matsya-avatāra-līlā (Fish Incarnation Pastime)
  90. Uddhava-message-līlā (Uddhava-Gopī Dialogue)
  91. Dvārakā‑dhāma‑līlā / Rukmiṇī‑Kṛṣṇa‑līlā
  92. Sītā‑Svayaṁvara / Śiva‑bow‑līlā
  93. Setu‑bandhana‑līlā (Bridge Construction Pastime)
  94. Nārada‑Vyāsa‑dialogue‑līlā
  95. Navadvīpa‑night‑nāma‑saṅkīrtana‑līlā
  96. Yaśodā–Kṛṣṇa‑motherly‑affection‑līlā
  97. Pṛthu–Earth‑milking‑līlā
  98. Kapila–Devahūti‑instruction‑līlā
  99. Mārkaṇḍeya‑vision‑līlā
  100. Śabarī‑Rāma‑meeting‑līlā
  101. Kubjā‑blessing‑līlā
  102. Dhruva‑vision‑līlā
  103. Guṇḍicā‑cleansing‑līlā
  104. Jagannātha‑vision‑līlā
  105. Vāmana–Trivikrama‑līlā — Bali Mahārāja's surrender
  106. Yamalārjuna‑breaking‑līlā
  107. Forest‑fire‑drinking‑līlā
  108. Draupadī‑protection‑līlā
  109. Rāsa‑līlā — The moonlit dance of divine love in Vṛndāvana
  110. Ambarīṣa–Durvāsā–Sudarśana — The Lord protects His devotee
  111. Nṛsiṁha protects Prahlāda — Nṛsiṁha‑līlā
  112. Ajāmila‑liberation‑līlā
  113. Sudāmā‑Kṛṣṇa‑līlā
  114. Kāliya‑subduing‑līlā
  115. Govardhana-dhāraṇa-līlā — Śrī Kṛṣṇa lifts Govardhana Hill
  116. Nāma‑saṅkīrtana‑līlā
  117. Kurukṣetra‑līlā
  118. Gajendra‑liberation‑līlā