Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.20.12
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesThe Lord’s Humor With His Devotee
“Although He is Viṣṇu Himself, out of fear He has covered Himself in the form of a brāhmaṇa to come to me begging. Under the circumstances, because He has assumed the form of a brāhmaṇa, even if He irreligiously arrests me or even kills me, I shall not retaliate, although He is my enemy.”
What the purport teaches
- If Lord Viṣṇu had come openly and made His request, Bali Mahārāja would certainly not have refused.
- The Lord covered Himself as a brāhmaṇa-brahmacārī to enjoy a little humor with His devotee. He came begging for only three feet of land.
- Bali Mahārāja declared that he would not retaliate against the Lord in the form of a brāhmaṇa, even if the Lord arrested or killed him.
Try this today
Take a quiet minute to reflect on the Lord’s personal, affectionate dealings with His devotee.
Ask yourself
What does Bali Mahārāja’s readiness to honor the Lord’s request teach me about willing 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.