Hare Kṛṣṇa,
Kṛṣṇa has a sweet way of dealing with His devotees who ‘cross the line’ sometimes. We tend to think materially that Krsna is angry. But being a purely transcendental personality, Krsna has no anger. His dealing with Indra is sweet even though Indra has committed a great offense.
Compared to Lord Brahma’s offense, Indra’s offenses are extremely severe. Brahmā tried to test Kṛṣṇa by stealing calves and cowherd boys, confused by Kṛṣṇa’s display of human-like behavior. Brahmā had no intention to trouble the Vrajavāsīs; he just wanted to see how Kṛṣṇa could perform wonderful and powerful pastimes. He wanted to test Kṛṣṇa’s power by his own power, because he was astonished at Kṛṣṇa’s liberating Aghasura. Eventually Brahmā realizes the vastness of Kṛṣṇa’s potencies and his own insignificance.
On the other hand, Indra became furious when the Vrajavāsīs worshiped Govardhana instead of him. He attempted to destroy Vraja with the Samvartaka clouds. This is a great offense. Kṛṣṇa may forgive the offenses against Him but not the offenses committed to His dear devotees. We have seen a great example in King Ambarisa and Durvash Muni. Here, Indra actually tried to harm and destroy the Vrajavāsīs along with their cows, lands, and property.
But Kṛṣṇa’s magmanimity is greater than Indra’s impudence. He can correct someone by His sweetness.
Kṛṣṇa said, “O king of the demigods! I see that you have unprecedented affection for Me. You have come to show mercy to Me, who have offended you by stopping your worship.” (Sārārtha-darśini; SB 10.27.2)
Naturally Indra becomes ashamed and fearful. Indra recited prayers out of fear. Lord Brahmā recited prayers out of awe, reverence and wonder. He sought forgiveness too. At the end, Brahmā becomes silent and contemplative, fully embracing dāsya and the glories of spontaneous devotion. Indra’s tone of prayers is more focused on remorse and fear. I will be very bold to state that I found Indra’s prayers not being completely sincere. On one hand, he had to audacity to show false pride being intoxicated by his empowered power. He abused the power that has been temporarily bestowed upon him by the Supreme Lord. On the other hand, he plays the ‘emotion card’ by praying that Krsna should show mercy upon him as He is the most father and guru.
Even Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura tends to agree. He says, “This prayer is not offered with a completely pure heart, because Indra is exhibiting humility in order to save himself. Indra mentions this in the seventh verse. Later in the tenth canto we find that when Sri Kṛṣṇa once took a pārijāta flower from heaven, foolish Indra again reacted violently against the Lord.” (Sārārtha-darśini; SB 10.27.8)
“Although Lord Kṛṣṇa protected the residents of Vraja by lifting Govardhana Hill, He had not yet punished Indra himself, and Indra feared that at any moment Śrī Kṛṣṇa might call the son of Vivasvān, Yamarāja, who punishes impudent persons who defy the laws of God.
Indra was quite fearful and thus begged the Lord’s forgiveness on the plea that he could be purified only by Kṛṣṇa’s mercy — that he was too stubborn to learn a good lesson through mere punishment.
In fact, despite Indra’s humility in this case, his heart was not completely purified. Later on in this canto we find that when Lord Kṛṣṇa once took a pārijāta flower from Indra’s kingdom, poor Indra again reacted violently against the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus, we should aspire to go back to our eternal home in the kingdom of Kṛṣṇa, and should not become entangled in the imperfect life of the material gods.” (SB 10.27.8 Purport)
“Indra hoped that Lord Kṛṣṇa would count him among the devotees and not the demons, although considering Indra’s actions one might doubt where his loyalties actually lay. Indra was aware of this possible doubt and thus, as we find in the next verse, he tried his best to surrender to the Supreme Lord.” (SB 10.27.9 Purport)
Indra prayed, “Obeisances unto You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the great Soul, who are all-pervading and who reside in the hearts of all. My obeisances unto You, Kṛṣṇa, the chief of the Yadu dynasty.” (SB 10.27.10)
Good thing is that Indra accepted his mistakes and showed maturity to surrender and beg forgiveness even though it is out of fear of punishment. Contrite and embarrassed, Indra feels ashamed of his pride and abuse of power. His tone is apologetic but less philosophical (compared to Lord Brahma’s prayers).
[We will see in the next lesson how Krsna responds to Indra’s prayers.]
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 