Hare Krsna,
The beauty of Srimad Bhagavatam is that whatever Krsna instructed in Bhagavad-Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kuruksetra is practically demonstrated in the pastimes of Srimad Bhagavata. In BG 7.20-23, Krsna says:
“Those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires surrender unto demigods and follow the particular rules and regulations of worship according to their own natures.”
“Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary. Those who worship the demigods go to the planets of the demigods, but My devotees ultimately reach My supreme planet.”
Thus Krsna is advising Nanda Maharaja and others that they should stop worshiping the demigod Indra.
“He suggested that they forgo the sacrifice. His reasons for discouraging the sacrifice performed to please Indra were twofold. First, as stated in the Bhagavad-gītā, there is no need to worship the demigods for any material advancement; all results derived from worshiping the demigods are simply temporary, and only those who are less intelligent are interested with temporary results. Secondly, whatever temporary result one derives from worshiping the demigods is actually granted by the permission of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” (Krsna book; 12-23)
Rather Krsna is teaching that “whatever benefit is supposed to be derived from the demigods is actually bestowed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Without the permission of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one cannot bestow any benefit upon others. But sometimes the demigods become puffed up by the influence of material nature; thinking themselves as all in all, they try to forget the supremacy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” (Krsna book; 12-23)
This pastime holds profound deeper meaning. By halting the Indra-yajna (sacrifice to Indra), Kṛṣṇa emphasized that demigods, including Indra, function under the Supreme Lord’s direction and that ultimate devotion should be directed toward the Supreme. This act served to humble Indra, who had become proud of his position, and to illustrate that material opulence can lead to false pride. Kṛṣṇa’s protection of Vṛndāvana’s residents further underscores that those who surrender to Him are safeguarded, highlighting the importance of exclusive devotion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Another lesson I take away from this chapter is the use of argument and logic to convince someone about something. As in Bhagavad Gita, here also Krsna simply does not order. “Stop worshipping Indra.” Krsna provides thorough reasoning and logic why Nanda Maharaja should stop worshipping Indra. He invokes various schools of thoughts to build His arguments. He uses karma-mīmāṁsā phiolosphy which emphasizes on commitment to one’s duties, and do not accept the supreme authority of God. karma-mīmāṁsā is basically atheism with a belief of reincarnation. The followers of karma-mīmāṁsā say that there are subtle laws of nature that reward or punish us according to how we act: “As you sow, so shall you reap.” In a future life one reaps the fruit of one’s present work, and this is the sum and substance of reality.
Krsna also uses other line of arguments such as
(a) There is some supreme controller who awards all others the results of their activities and that there is no question of being the bestower of fruitive results unless fruitive activities have actually been performed. (SB 10.23.14)
(b) Jivas are forces to experience the consequences of their own work. Indra cannot change that destiny, which is born of their own nature. So why worship Indra? (SB 10.23.15)
(c) Every individual is under the control of his own conditioned nature (svabhava), and thus he must follow that nature. (SB 10.23.16)
(d) It is karma that causes the conditioned living entity to accept and then give up different high- and low-grade material bodies, this karma is his enemy, friend and neutral witness, his spiritual master and controlling lord. (SB 10.23.17)
(e) The causes of creation, maintenance and destruction are the three modes of nature — namely goodness, passion and ignorance. Impelled by the material mode of passion, the clouds pour down their rain everywhere, and by this rain all creatures gain their sustenance. What has the great Indra to do with this arrangement? (SB 10.23.22-23)
This teaches us that a devotee must be well-versed in scriptures and philosophy in order to preach in the correct way without agitating someone.
BG 17.15: Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature.
Krsna spoke the truth in a pleasing way without agitating Nanda Maharaja and others on why they should stop worshipping Indra. He quoted various philosophical thoughts to build His arguments. Srila Prabhupada also employed the same techniques when preaching. He says that he had to spend or waste gallons of blood before he could convert a person to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Blind faith and following has no basis on the path of bhakti. Krsna is teaching us that we use our intelligence (supported by scriptures) to become convinced about anything in life and convince others also.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 