Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.15.31
Ūti· What drives us to actDevotional Service Matters More Than Possessions
“Bali Mahārāja has now become extremely powerful because of the benedictions given him by the brāhmaṇas, but when he later insults the brāhmaṇas, he will be vanquished, along with his friends and assistants.”
What the purport teaches
- Bali Mahārāja’s power came from the brāhmaṇas’ benedictions. Bṛhaspati predicted that insulting those brāhmaṇas would bring defeat upon him, his friends, and his assistants.
- Bṛhaspati foresaw that Bali Mahārāja would defy Śukrācārya’s orders to please Lord Viṣṇu, Vāmanadeva. The purport explains that one can take all risks to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- Bali Mahārāja would lose all his property, yet through devotional service receive more than he expected. In the eighth manvantara, he would occupy Indra’s throne again.
Try this today
Set aside one small personal convenience today to make time for devotional service.
Ask yourself
Do I value pleasing the Lord through devotional service more than protecting my possessions?
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.