Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.24.19
Mukti· LiberationPure Love Is Devotional Service's Result
“My dear King, Bali Mahārāja donated all his possessions to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāmanadeva, but one should certainly not conclude that he achieved his great worldly opulence in bila-svarga as a result of his charitable disposition. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the source of life for all living entities, lives within everyone as the friendly Supersoul, and under His direction a living entity enjoys or suffers in the material world. Greatly appreciating the transcendental qualities of the Lord, Bali Mahārāja offered everything at His lotus feet. His purpose, however, was not to gain anything material, but to become a pure devotee. For a pure devotee, the door of liberation is automatically opened. One should not think that Bali Mahārāja was given so much material opulence merely because of his charity. When one becomes a pure devotee in love, he may also be blessed with a good material position by the will of the Supreme Lord. However, one should not mistakenly think that the material opulence of a devotee is the result of his devotional service. The real result of devotional service is the awakening of pure love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which continues under all circumstances.”
What the purport teaches
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead lives within everyone as the friendly Supersoul. Under His direction, living entities enjoy or suffer in the material world.
- Bali Mahārāja offered everything at the Lord's lotus feet to become a pure devotee, not to gain material benefits. For a pure devotee, the door of liberation opens automatically.
- Material opulence may come by the Supreme Lord's will, but it is not the real result of devotional service. That result is pure love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, continuing under all circumstances.
Try this today
Before one act of devotional service today, consciously set aside the wish for a material reward.
Ask yourself
Do I seek pure love through devotional service, or am I hoping mainly for material benefits?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.