Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.22.32
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionPeace Through the Lord’s Special Protection
“Until Bali Mahārāja achieves the position of King of heaven, he shall live on the planet Sutala, which was made by Viśvakarmā according to My order. Because it is especially protected by Me, it is free from mental and bodily miseries, fatigue, dizziness, defeat and all other disturbances. Bali Mahārāja, you may now go live there peacefully.”
What the purport teaches
- Until becoming King of heaven, Bali Mahārāja would live on Sutala. Viśvakarmā constructed his residence there according to the Lord’s order.
- The Lord’s special protection made Sutala free from mental and bodily miseries, fatigue, defeat and other disturbances. Bali Mahārāja was invited to live there peacefully.
- Śrīla Prabhupāda describes Sutala’s palaces as at least equal to those in heaven. He emphasizes the Vedic descriptions of extraordinary dwellings on other planets rather than accounts limited to rocks and sand.
Try this today
Reread the Lord’s invitation to live peacefully and take a moment to appreciate His care for Bali Mahārāja.
Ask yourself
What does Bali Mahārāja’s protected residence teach me about the Lord’s care?
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.