Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.20.11
Āśraya· The supreme shelterWorship Lord Viṣṇu in All Circumstances
“O great sage, great saintly persons like you, being completely aware of the Vedic principles for performing ritualistic ceremonies and yajñas, worship Lord Viṣṇu in all circumstances. Therefore, whether that same Lord Viṣṇu has come here to give me all benedictions or to punish me as an enemy, I must carry out His order and give Him the requested tract of land without hesitation.”
What the purport teaches
- Lord Viṣṇu is the Supreme Person, and worship of Him is the ultimate goal of life. The varṇāśrama system organizes society to prepare everyone for this worship.
- Bali Mahārāja had been educated in devotional service by Prahlāda Mahārāja. His full surrender kept him from being misguided, even by his so-called spiritual master.
- Surrender means being prepared to follow Lord Viṣṇu’s orders whether He gives protection or punishment. Bali Mahārāja therefore resolved to give the requested land without hesitation.
Try this today
Before one duty today, pause and resolve to perform it to please Lord Viṣṇu rather than to gain a reward.
Ask yourself
Does my willingness to serve the Lord depend on receiving favorable results?
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.