Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.18.20
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionThe Complete Lord Comes to Show Mercy
“When the Lord heard that Bali Mahārāja was performing aśvamedha sacrifices under the patronage of brāhmaṇas belonging to the Bhṛgu dynasty, the Supreme Lord, who is full in every respect, proceeded there to show His mercy to Bali Mahārāja. By His weight, He pushed down the earth with every step.”
What the purport teaches
- The Lord heard that Bali Mahārāja was performing aśvamedha sacrifices under brāhmaṇas of the Bhṛgu dynasty. He went there to show Bali Mahārāja His mercy.
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead possesses everything essential in this material world. Although He went to beg, He is always complete and needs nothing from anyone.
- The Lord is so powerful that, in His full opulence, He pressed down the earth with every step.
Try this today
Before one act of devotional service today, pause to remember that the Lord is complete and does not depend on your offering.
Ask yourself
How does knowing that the Lord needs nothing change my understanding of offering Him service?
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.