Qualities of Sri Krsna 172
22. Self-controlled

A person who can control his senses fully is called vasi, or self-
controlled. In this connection it is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam:
“All the 16,000 wives of Krsna were so exquisitely beautiful that
their smiling and shyness were able to captivate the minds of great
demigods like Lord Siva. But still they could not even agitate the
mind of Krsna, in spite of their attractive feminine behavior.” Every
one of the thousands of wives of Krsna was thinking that Krsna was
captivated by her feminine beauty, but this was not the case. Krsna is
therefore the supreme controller of senses, and this is admitted in the
Bhagavad-gitd, where He is addressed as [Hrsikesa—the master of the
senses.

23. Steadfast

A person who continues to work until his desired goal is achieved
is called steadfast.

There was a fight between Krsna and King Syamantaka, and Krsna
was to take a valuable jewel from the King. The King tried to hide
himself in the forest, but Krsna would not become discouraged.
Krsna finally got the jewel by seeking out the King with great stead-
fastness.

24. Forbearing

A person who tolerates all kinds of troubles, even though such
troubles appear to be unbearable, is called forbearing.

When Krsna was residing at the place of His spiritual master, He
did not mind taking all troubles in rendering service to His guru, al-
though His body was very soft and delicate. It is the duty of the
disciple to execute all services unto the spiritual master, despite all
kinds of difficulties. The disciple living at the residence of the spiri-
tual master has to go begging from door to door and bring everything
back to the spiritual master. When prasadam is being served, the spiri-
tual master is supposed to call each and every disciple to come eat.
