Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.18.32
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesOffer Whatever the Lord Desires
“O son of a brāhmaṇa, it appears that You have come here to ask me for something. Therefore, whatever You want You may take from me. O best of those who are worshipable. You may take from me a cow, gold, a furnished house, palatable food and drink, the daughter of a brāhmaṇa for Your wife, prosperous villages, horses, elephants, chariots or whatever You desire.”
What the purport teaches
- Bali Mahārāja thought that the Lord had come to ask him for something. He invited Him to take whatever He wanted.
- Addressing the Lord as the best of those who are worshipable, Bali Mahārāja offered gifts such as a cow, gold, a furnished house, and food and drink.
- His offer extended to prosperous villages, horses, elephants and chariots, or whatever the Lord desired. His words expressed a broad willingness to give.
Try this today
Choose one thing you can offer today, such as food or drink, and offer it respectfully to the Lord.
Ask yourself
What could you willingly offer in service to the Lord today?
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.