Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.22.2
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesOffer Yourself for the Lord’s Satisfaction
“Bali Mahārāja said: O best Personality of Godhead, most worshipable for all the demigods, if You think that my promise has become false, I shall certainly rectify matters to make it truthful. I cannot allow my promise to be false. Please, therefore, place Your third lotus footstep on my head.”
What the purport teaches
- Bali Mahārāja understood that Lord Vāmanadeva’s apparent cheating would glorify His devotee. Whether the Lord cheats or rewards, He is always good.
- Although the Lord had taken all his possessions, Bali Mahārāja still wanted to satisfy Him to the best of his ability.
- To make his promise truthful, Bali Mahārāja offered his head for the Lord’s third footstep. Having given his possessions, he now offered himself.
Try this today
Use your body today for one small act of service to the Lord.
Ask yourself
How can I offer myself for the Lord’s satisfaction, rather than only offering 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.