Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.21.28
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesSteady Service Despite Losing Everything
“O King, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāmanadeva, then spoke to Bali Mahārāja, the most liberal and celebrated personality whom He had arrested with the ropes of Varuṇa. Bali Mahārāja had lost all bodily luster, but he was nonetheless fixed in his determination.”
What the purport teaches
- Although Bali Mahārāja lost everything and his bodily luster diminished, he remained determined to satisfy Vāmanadeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- A pure devotee never deviates from the Lord’s service despite difficulties and impediments. Such steadiness is called sthita-prajña in Bhagavad-gītā.
- Bali Mahārāja became famous through being deprived of his possessions. The purport describes the Lord’s taking away a devotee’s wealth as special mercy; the devotee continues serving, and the Lord amply rewards him.
Try this today
Complete one small act of devotional service today even if your circumstances are inconvenient.
Ask yourself
Is my willingness to serve the Lord dependent on comfort or 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.