19810916 Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.22.25

(Disclaimer: The following is a machine-generated transcript and may contain errors or inaccuracies. It will be reviewed and verified against the original audio soon.)

The following is a lecture given by His Holiness Jayapatākā Swami Mahārāja on September 16, 1981 – in Murāri Sevaka Farm, USA. The lecture begins with a reading from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.22.25.

A translation by Shrifran the supreme personality of God had said, my dear Lord Brahma, because of material opulence, a foolish person becomes dull witted and mad. Thus, he has no respect for anyone within the taking away all his possessions. A civilization that has become godless because of material advancement in opulence is extremely dangerous. Because of great opulence, immaterialists become so proud that he has no regard for anyone and even refuses to accept the authority of the supreme personality of Godhead. The result of such a mentality is certainly very dangerous. To sow special favor. The Lord sometimes makes an example of someone like Wali Maharaj who was now bereft of all his possessions.

We were just discussing how even a country has a good or bad karma according to the sum total of all the people, so that if a country becomes godless, then a country also goes down, loses, can lose everything. Our example of a civilization that has become very advanced and is becoming godless more and more. I am very proud to some extent is right here. Yada Kadache the Jīva Sangh saranga nitakarma vi nana yoni shvanishu young purushing gautim avrajet translation while rotating in the cycle of birth and death again and again in different species, because of his own fruit of activities, the dependent living entity by good fortune may happen to become a human being. This human birth is very rarely obtained. Report Lashla Prabhupāda of text 25, chapter 22 canto eight the supreme personality of Godhead is fully independent.

Thus, it is not always the fact that a living beings loss of all opulence is a sign of the supreme Lord’s mercy upon him. The Lord can act any way he likes. He may take away one’s opulence or he may not. There are varieties of forms of life and the Lord treats them according to the circumstances as he chooses. Generally, it is to be understood that the human form of light is one of great responsibility. Purusha Prakriti sto he bhunkte prakriti jaan gunan karanang guni janamasu a living entity and material nature follows the ways of life, enjoying the three modes of nature. This is due to his association with that material nature. Thus, he meets with good and evil amongst various species.

Bhagavad Gītā 1322 after thus rotating through many forms of life in the cycle of birth and death, a living being gets a chance for a human form. Therefore, every human being, especially one belonging to a civilized nation or culture must be extremely responsible in his activities. He should not risk degradation in the next light because the body will change. Tata dihantara prap. Dir. We should be extremely careful to see to the proper use of light is the purpose of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The foolish living entity declares freedom from all control, but factually he is not free. He is fully under the control of material nature. He must therefore be most careful and responsible in the activities of his life. So here Brahmanadegh is chastising Bali Maharaj.

Although he had achieved a human birth, but instead of utilizing it to become Kṛṣṇa conscious, he was taking his armies and conquering the universe, worshipping the Lord rather for his material motives. Human life is a life of great responsibility. The ultimate responsibility is to become Kṛṣṇa conscious. Otherwise, in this material world, one is always tossed between good and evil, happiness and distress. Sito snasuke dukkhada just like the changing of the summer and winter season, sometimes cold, sometimes hot. In the summer we like a fan, but if it’s in the winter, we don’t want a fan, we want a heater. The same fan will be uncomfortable to us. So one thing which we find very nice, the same thing can also be a cause of pain just by slight change of our mentality and vice versa.

Something which we may find painful now may be actually a source of joy to us in some other circumstance. So therefore, when the material world is so complex that the same activity under different circumstances will give us a different feeling of happiness or distress, then how can any happiness or distress in this material world be permanent? The real happiness that we are searching for is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. So here the Lord is chastising in Wali Maharaj indirectly that he was risking degradation in the next life. He was risking his life fighting and so many things. But his objective was not to please the Kṛṣṇa. His objective was to become the lord of the three worlds. So that is not a laudable objective.

Text 26 janmakarma vayo rūpa vidya swarya devī yad yasya nabhet stamhas tatrayang mad anub gha translation if a human being is born in an aristocratic family or a higher status of life, if he performs wonderful activities, if he is youthful, if he has personal beauty, a good education and good wealth, and if he is nonetheless not proud of his opulences, it is to be understood that he is especially favored by the supreme personality of God. In other words, ordinary people, they become very proud if they are born in an aristocratic family or have a higher status of life. As soon as someone’s economic position goes up, he becomes proud. This is if he performs wonderful activities. If he hits a home run and the stadium is all cheering or if he makes a touchdown, he gets very proud of his team won.

If he’s youthful. Youthful people sometimes say, come back later. When I am old, I have no time. Now I have to enjoy someone that has personal beauty, good education, good wealth. People get proud of these different opulences. They become infatuated, intoxicated. Therefore, they don’t surrender to Kṛṣṇa. So if someone has any of these opulences or all of them and still is not puffed up, is not proud, then the bhāgavatam is saying, that means that he must be a devotee of Kṛṣṇa. He must be favored by Kṛṣṇa. Means he must be devotee. Prophet says, when in spite of possessing all these opulences, a person is not proud. This means that he is fully aware that all his opulences are due to the mercy of the supreme personality of Godhead. He therefore engages all his possessions in the service of the Lord.

A devotee knows very well that everything, even his body, belongs to the supreme Lord. If one lives perfectly in such Kṛṣṇa consciousness, it is to be understood that he is especially favored by the supreme personality of Godhead. The conclusion is that once being deprived of his wealth is not to be considered the special mercy of the Lord. If one continues in his opulent position but does not become unnecessarily proud, falsely thinking that he is the proprietor of everything, that is the Lord’s special mercy. If a person is falsely proud, sometimes Kṛṣṇa takes away everything. That doesn’t mean that every time Kṛṣṇa takes away. If a person has any of these opulences or all of them, but isn’t proud, knows that they’re actually Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa’s energy. Ultimately, Kṛṣṇa is the proprietor. Then why does Kṛṣṇa have to take away and there’s no need.

So it’s not that because one is a devotee of Kṛṣṇa, he will have everything taken away. But if a devotee of Kṛṣṇa thinks that everything he has is not Kṛṣṇa’s or is his and doesn’t see that Kṛṣṇa is ultimately their controller and their proprietor, you see, then he’s in a dangerous position. He also. He prayed manaso de ho gay ho joke nanaki. Whatever I have, even those things. Ordinarily, everyone thinks to be their own. My mind, my body, my house. Manaso deho geho joki. Whatever I may have, I offer at your lotus feet. You see, just like when those people who worship the Ganges, they take the water of the Ganges in two hands, and they offer the water back to the Ganges offering prayer.

So the Bhāgavatam explains to that if you take out a handful of water from the Ganges, what does the Ganges lose? And if you put it back, what does it gain? But the person who is doing it, he celebrated as a great devotee. So everything we get, our intelligence, our mind, our ability, ultimately that’s come from Kṛṣṇa. So by recognizing that and by offering our service back to Kṛṣṇa, it’s not that Kṛṣṇa gained anything or by doing it that he’s losing something, him personally. But by doing so, we become glorified. We become glorified by getting his special mercy. Lord goes on. Maharaj has become the most famous amongst the demons and non believers. For in spite of being bereft of all material opulences, he is fixed in his devotional service. Report by Śrīla Prabhupda.

In this verse, the words siddhan API namuyati are very important. A devotee is sometimes put into adversity while executing devotional service. In adversity, everyone laments and becomes aggrieved. But by the grace of the supreme personality of Godhead, a devotee, even in the worst condition, can understand that he is going through a severe examination by the personality of Godhead. Walima Haraj passed all such examinations as explained in the following verses. So a devotee is directly under the shelter of Kṛṣṇa. When someone surrenders to Kṛṣṇa, takes initiation, that means that he’s not suffering any more karma, just in a mechanical way. But you should. With one leg up, two is not good. One time. Where was it? Kṛṣṇa is not giving the karma mechanically. Or it’s not just coming mechanically, it’s coming directly by Kṛṣṇa.

What is needed to get the devotee up to the higher platform of devotional service? As the devotee is praying, I want to render your pure devotional service. Please help me. So if he’s stuck up somewhere, then Kṛṣṇa, he gives some impetus. Sometimes he tests because some failure is the stepping stone of success. Some obstacle forces one to increase and to overcome it. So that’s why Śrīla Prabhupāda, he recommended, of course, in the beginning of our movement, he said we should all go out and make so many new temples. But at 70, 71, when we already had so many, about 40, 50 temples, then he said, that’s enough for now. Now everyone should settle down in some project and develop it, develop some steadiness guru da Tadesh, except a place as the land ordered by the spiritual master for preaching.

So when trying to develop a particular area, there are often many types of obstacles which come up. So the tendency might be to fly away. Somewhere you meet some obstacle. Go look for an easy service, go look for an easy situation rather than try to overcome. But this is not recommended. If someone takes the service for delivering Kṛṣṇa consciousness, for performing the devotional service very seriously, and in spite of difficulties, stays to it, that is very dear to Kṛṣṇa. Just like when Śrīla Prabhupāda used to travel around, sometimes there would be devotees who would follow him wherever he went. And he would say that these people who follow me around, they’re not the dear, most of my disciples, they’re not truly following me. They’re not the person who is serving, carrying out my order. He is with me.

Sometimes they would come, you know, wherever Prabhupāda appeared, like all of a sudden, people start flying in they wouldn’t do any, take up any practical service to help Prabhupāda. They would just follow him around wherever he went. The prabhupāda was indicating, Śrīla Prabhupda was indicating that better they take up some responsibility and try to develop their devotional service. Unless one takes up a responsibility for the spiritual master, for Kṛṣṇa, then it’s very hard to develop spontaneous devotional service. When Kṛṣṇa puts us in difficulty, that is, when we’re forced automatically into a situation of spontaneous devotional service, just like mother and father. If the child gets sick spontaneously, they run and get the doctor, they take the temperature, they give them medicine, they do everything that’s needed because it’s an emergency. So by nature’s arrangement, we become very attached to children and different.

So if something happens immediately, we do what’s necessary, no one has to, you see, give very much instruction. We immediately become concerned. So by taking some service as a service that the spiritual master has given us, or that we know is authorized by the spiritual master, and then dedicating ourselves to them. So then naturally we will become attached to that service. And then when things, when difficulties come up, when Kṛṣṇa makes some examination, then we have to rise to that situation. We have to, we become concerned, that is, the beginning of spontaneous devotional service. Instead of the attachment or the concern that we would naturally feel for bodily relations, now we’re feeling it for the service given to us by Guru and Kṛṣṇa, or on behalf of Guru and Kṛṣṇa that we are doing in this way. Spontaneous devotion comes, that’s why Shila?

Prabhupāda stressed that he didn’t want a centralized organization, Iskan, where one controlling, you know, Bodhi would manage all the temples. You know, just all the centralized money. What he wanted, each temple should have a separate fund. And that the temple president should become expert in handling the funds. And that they should work together and make each temple strong. And GBCs and sannyasis, they should travel around and see that everything is going properly. According to the Kanch’s instructions that he has left. And doing whatever help is necessary. So everyone talks about spontaneous devotional service. But that comes when one actually takes up a commitment to a service. Do or die, I have to do it. So when that type of responsibility is there, then that’s very good for advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Ramakṛṣṇa Goswami Maharaj gives this story.

One time he approached the profile because in Bombay he was the GBC, temple president, BBT trustee, as well as Prabhupāda’s secretary. And maybe something to other construction manager, cook. It wasn’t a cook. And so he approached the prabhupāda that if he could just appoint one person to be temple president. So that he would have a little time for reading or something like that, or have a little more time. And Prabhupāda yelled at him that if you get more time, then the chances that Māyā will be able to creep in better you stay fully engaged. Of course, it was so much pressure for him that it was very hard. Still, Prabhupāda wanted that he should learn to take pressure in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

What is that pressure compared to the pressure at the time of death or when the world is going to is thrown in topsy turvy due to so many situations. Guru Nabhar Sītā Sapto Jaho Satyang Nasu Bratha Chalair upto Moyadharmo Nayang Tyajati Satyavaq Translation Text 29 30 although bereft of his riches, fallen from his original position, defeated and arrested by his enemies, rebuked and deserted by his relatives and friends, although suffering the pain of being bound, and although rebuked and cursed by his spiritual master. Bali Mahārāja, being fixed in his vow, did not give up his truthfulness. It was certainly with pretension that I spoke about religious principles. But he did not give up religious principles. For he is true to his word. Report. Bali Mahārāja passed the severe test put before him by the supreme personality of Godhead.

This is further proof of the Lord’s mercy towards his devotee. The supreme personality of Godhead. Sometimes puts a devotee to severe tests that are almost unbearable. One could hardly even live under the conditions forced upon Bali Maharaj. That Bali Maharaj endured all these severe tests and austerities is the mercy of the supreme Lord. The Lord certainly appreciates the devotees forbearance and is recorded for the future glorification of the devotee. This was not an ordinary test as described in this verse. Hardly anyone could survive such a test. But for the future glorification of Bali Maharaj, one of the mahajanas, the supreme personality of God had not only tested him but also gave him the strength of tolerate such adversity.

The Lord is so kind to his devotee that when severely testing him, the Lord gives him the necessary strength to be tolerant and continue to remain a glorious devotee. All along, Bali Maharaj was performing worship to Kṛṣṇa. By performing Vishnu Jagd, he was able to defeat the demigods. So when Vishnu himself came and he promised that I will give you three steps of land and everyone told him to take back his word. But in spite of so many difficulties, he didn’t take his words back. He was then everything was taken from him. He was defeated, he was arrested, he was rebuked. Deserted by his relatives, friends, he was cursed by his guru, he was tied up.

And even after all that, then Rahman Adeb to Vikram, he said that I have taken in two steps this world and the whole universe which was what Bali Maharaj had conquered. So now where is your third step? You have cheated me. You didn’t give me that third step. Vali was proud. He said, yes, I will give you three steps. He didn’t think that three steps he wouldn’t be able to give. But in two steps, Kṛṣṇa took everything. Where is the third step? Give me. Bind him. He lied then that’s why they bound him up. He didn’t give this third step, then bound up. Everyone deserted him. Then he said, put the third step here. My head. I give myself to you. We should know that the spiritual master Kṛṣṇa, they don’t give a devotee more of a test than what they can take.

Vali Maharaj was such a devotee that he could be given this severe test. Similarly, whatever test comes to us, we should know that if we simply take shelter in Kṛṣṇa, take shelter in our spiritual master, that we will overcome these tests. Kṛṣṇa gives a test according to the he also gives the strength to overcome the test. It.

(Side B of the Cassette)

Some difficulty in this temple. I think that I should go for permission. He wrote back, three page letter. The basic purport was that once or twice there might be some difficulty locally, some problem. If you go somewhere else, your service may increase. Possibility is there many times you’re going, then you should possibly, you should look to yourself. But whether the defect is not in yourself, if every place has got a problem, means the problem may be with you. So if the problem is with you, then there’s no use of changing places or people you’re with, because the same problem is there, it’s within you. Then you should stay in one place and purify yourself, dedicate yourself, develop a service attitude. One has to be truthful with himself. And if there’s difficulty, see, is the difficulty actually the exterior causes?

Or is it due to my own agītātion? Or is it due to my own deficiency? Just like sometimes someone say, well, I don’t like this place, because this devotee, he’s not, he’s always saying things to agītāte me. But every place in the world, there’s always at least one person that’s there who agītātes, you know, it’s just like Prabhupāda gave an example that this material world, you can’t get away from it. There’s always some form of misery. In India, the cobra snake one time crawled right into my room. I remember Bishnupad Babrande go saw me. He walked in the room and he walked out on the outside and came back, turned the light on and he looked and right hanging over the door was open like that. Hanging over the door was a cobra snake just walked by.

When they lifted up the pots from the garden must have come within that pot, crawled out even though were on the fifth floor. She probably said, one place there will be mosquitoes, some other place there will be flies. She said there was one place where there were so many flies that the whole road was black. Just like an asphalt road, but it was a dirt road. It was black with flies. And when you drive by on a horse and buggy, then they all come up, you know, just like. Like bats coming out of a tree, you know. And then as you drive by, then as the dust boom, back again on the road. Otherwise there’s a wood tick. While you’re in the city, there’s smog, so even the bugs can’t live. Smog and cockroaches and bed bugs.

There’s always some misery everywhere this material world is designed, it has got misery. Designed in it, just like there’s planned what they call obsolescence. Nowadays. They plant a machine to break down after a certain period of time. So this got planned misery in this world. Just like there was one devotee india. He was having a stomach problem or something. He was feeling a little weak. So he decided, I will go to Italy, where I will be nice and healthy. So he went to Italy not because he wanted to increase his service, not because he was doing nice service, but just we thought, well, I will go there because nice food, whatever he went, or because I have good health, easier. So he went there and there he’s got. He got. He has an allergy. He’s got some kind of hay fever about some weed in Italy.

And he can’t even breathe. Sometimes even he dry heaves with such a cough. So more or less, there’s problems everywhere. So when some obstacle comes up, or when some difficulty comes up, we should not change for sense gratification. We shouldn’t run away for sense gratification. Of course, discretion is the better part of valor. Let some discretion under certain circumstances may be needed. But the point is that whatever we do should always be based on what is pleasing to the spiritual master and Kṛṣṇa. That we should do what is displeasing, that we should reject. Kṛṣṇa says, my devotee never perishes. So if we are sincere, then Kṛṣṇa will help us. When Śrīla Prabhupāda signed up for the Bombay land, 14 lakhs of rupees, that means rs1,400,000. He signed the contract. He had only rs100,000 in his hand.

But he had faith that somehow Kṛṣṇa will provide. When were buying, were searching for land in Calcutta. He had no money in his hand, maybe like that hundred thousand. But he was saying, buy six lakh, eight lakh, ten lakh. When we get the land, then Kṛṣṇa will provide somehow. Then we will worry about that even sometimes in Calcutta temple president there, if he goes broke, what he does is he immediately puts on some big preaching festival. Because by the preaching festival, he finds that so much enthusiasm and mercy comes, that then somehow Kṛṣṇa provides windfalls. That’s what Bali Maharaj when he gave his words, even there was so much difficulty, he did it back down. Kṛṣṇa gave him that strength. If one is doing everything to please Kṛṣṇa, then how Kṛṣṇa will forsake.

Just like the small child is depending on the parents not going to forsake the child. A good parent will never. Kṛṣṇa is the best father. Text 31 asha me prapitastanam dush prabham amarai API savane antarasyam bhavitendra Madasraya translation by Śrīla Prabhupāda the Lord continued because of his great tolerance, I have given him a place not obtainable even by the demigods. He will become king of the heavenly planets during the period of the Manu known as Savarni. This is the mercy of the supreme personality of God. Here, even if the Lord takes away a devotees material opulence, if the Lord immediately offers him a position of which the demigods cannot even dream. There are many examples of this in the history of devotional service. One of them is the opulence of Sudama Vipra.

Sudama Vipra suffered a severe material scarcity, but he was not disturbed and did not deviate from devotional service. Thus, he was ultimately given an exalted position by the mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Here the word mad as Raya is very significant. Because the Lord wanted to give Bali Maharaj the exalted position of Indra, the demigods might naturally have been envious of him and might have fought to disturb his position. But the supreme personality guarded as Shred Bali Mahārāja that he would always remain under the Lord’s protection. Madh astraya. In other words, Vali Maharaj was the head of the Dhima. He worshipped Kṛṣṇa under the direction of his spiritual master, was at that time motivated by different material desires. He was not a pure devotee spiritual master, but just and as a result, he was able to defeat and take charge of the heavenly planets.

But the demigods were always against him. He was always in a state where he had to fight to protect his position. But here Kṛṣṇa is saying that I will again give you the kingship of Indra. Give you the position at Indra. Not that you just defeat Indra and you possess his kingdom as a usurper, but you will be Indra in the future and I will protect you. In other words, his desire was satisfied more than he could expect. Viswakarma vanir mitam yarad hayo vayadhayascha klamas tandra pravhabhabha Nopasarga Nivasatam Sanghek shaya translation until Bali Mahārāja achieves the position of king of heaven, he shall live on the planet suital, which was made by vishwa karma according to my order, because it is especially protected by me. It is free from mental and bodily miseries, fatigue, dizziness, defeat and other in all other disturbances.

Bali Maharaj, you may now go there and live peacefully. Vista Karma is the engineer architect for the palatial buildings and the heavenly planets. Therefore, since he was engaged to construct the residential quarters of Bali Maharaj, the buildings and palaces on the planet Sutala must at least equal those on the heavenly planets. A further advantage of this place designed for Bali Maharaj, was that he would not be disturbed by any outward calamity. Moreover, he would not be disturbed by mental or bodily miseries. These are all extraordinary features of the planet Sutala, where wali Maharaj would live. In the vedic literatures, we find descriptions of many different planets, for there are many palaces hundreds and thousands of times better than those of which we have experience on this planet earth. When we speak of palaces, thus naturally includes.

This naturally includes the idea of great cities and towns. Unfortunately, when modern scientists try to explore other planets, they see nothing but rocks and sand. Of course, they may go on their frivolous excursions, but the students of the vedic literature will never believe them or give them any credit for exploring other planets. Just like I read today in a newspaper in the magazine, they sent a voyager to Saturn with the rings, and they recorded all kinds of music so that it sounded like guams bells, like a symphony coming from them. But they can’t figure it out what it is.

And then when you see the pictures, all you ever see is you just see this, like, you know, it looks like if you take a picture of something and then spin it around so that it’s blurred like a light bulb or something, you can never see anything. And of course, they say this proves that there’s nobody in the world that’s greater explorer than USA. So it’s just, you know, let’s say prestige, what they actually find or don’t find, or whether they go at all, who is to know? Obviously, they’re not able to see what is actually on the other planets, because on every planet there’s life. They’re not able to see what type of life there is on the different planets.

Just like here on this planet, we find that everywhere there’s life in the air, there’s so many diseases and microbes and pollens and things floating. Even we can’t see them in the water. There’s fish, there’s also so many microorganisms everywhere in the earth. There’s bacteria, there’s fungus, there’s worms, there’s molds on the land, everywhere. Even sometimes the jet planes going up 35,000ft, they hit mosquito. Everywhere there’s life in different forms. Similarly, just as here, there’s everything. Similarly, in other parts of the universe, according to the Vedas, there’s life adapted for those conditions. Just like plants here, they don’t breathe oxygen, they breathe carbon dioxide and they produce oxygen. Similarly, in other places, there’s. There’s organisms who are existing in those environments, and their breathing, and there’s reciprocal organisms that sustain each other in those environments. But they’re thinking that there’s nothing anywhere else.

We’re the only intelligent creatures in this universe. And of intelligent creatures, the best is us. And every country goes. Each country thinks that they’re the best. The French, they will think that they’re the best. While America may have more weapons, that we have more culture, and I think we are, weapons are better for our side. Whatever. Everyone’s got their pride swiss, we got the best watches, or we’re more intelligent Japanese, whatever. Russia, you just take any. Even you take a little nowhere country. Everyone, they think even a rickshaw driver, he’s pulling. He thinks that I am the best rickshaw puller. Or if he’s not a good puller, he thinks that I am getting the same money without pulling rigorous. Somehow everybody has this, you know, pride, and that thinks that I am actually on top of the whole thing. So it’s not saying very much here.

Bali Maharaj, although he lost everything and appeared, but we see that by the Lord’s mercy, he’s getting better than what he had, without any difficulties. And in doing so, he was able to give an example for all of us to follow. Not that we will ever have to encounter such difficult trials. Whatever trials we have to encounter, Kṛṣṇa will give us the strength if we depend upon him and try to carry out what is pleasing to our spiritual master. Just two or three more slogans here. Indra sena muharaja yahib hobad sutalang swargidi pragtianen gati bhi parivari ba bharvi obali maharaj, indra sena. Now you may go to the planet Sutala, which is desired even by the demigods. Live there peacefully, surrounded by your friends and relatives. All good fortune unto you.

Bali Maharaj was transferred from the heavenly planet to the planet Sutala, which is hundreds of times better than heaven, as indicated by the word swargi bi par tyam, when the supreme personality of God had deprived his devotee of material opulences. This does not mean that the Lord puts him into poverty. Rather, the Lord promotes him to a higher position. The supreme personality of God did not ask Bali Maharaj to separate from his family. Instead, the Lord allowed him to stay with his family members. Satwang, Abhi, Bhavishyanti, loke sa king, Uttar Paray twach cha, Sanna, Tigan, Daityans, Chakrangme, Sudayati on the planet Sutal are not even the predominate deities of other planets. What to speak of? Ordinary people will be able to conquer you. As far as the demons are concerned, if they transgress your rule, my disc will kill them.

In other words, Kṛṣṇa has given him complete protection. The Sudarshan Chakra is going to stay in his kingdom and protect him. Kṛṣṇa took everything away. Then he gave it back because just to show him that it wasn’t his to begin with. Similarly, if we think something this is mine, I, then that’s the danger. We can lose it. The forefathers like of America, they used to pray to make their country strong, to help them so many things. It was based on freedom of religion, different programs. But that was one of the main foundations. Now there was some success. The country became very big. Now that already no prayers allowed in the school. Trying to take in God, we trust off the money everything. What did God do? We did it all. So they will run out of their pious activities.

And just like Rome with so many other dynasties, then this country will also be finished. Unless the people wake up. Everything that they have is only by the mercy of goddess. If they think that it’s due to their hard work, only then Kṛṣṇa will take everything away. Then they will realize that they can lose everything. But if they realize that everything is by the mercy of God, is by mercy of Kṛṣṇa and that they have it, then why? Kṛṣṇa doesn’t have to take anything away to prove his point. So better that people be educated so they don’t have to go through all those difficult times. Text 35 Rakshi she sara bato Hwang sanugang sa paret Chadam sadhg vira tatraman draksha devanhe translation o great hero, I shall always be with you and give you protection in all respects along with your associates and paraphernalia.

Moreover, you will always be able to see me there. On top of everything else. Kṛṣṇa Brahmanadeva himself is going to be with Bulimharaj. He is personally going there and resigning with bulimhenous. It’s a fact. No demigod, even the king of heaven cannot get such an opportunity or such a gift from the Lord. Tatra Dhanava daityana sangate bhav asura Rishtva mad anubhavang vai sadhya kunto vinak vinangshati because there you will see my supreme prowess. Your materialistic ideas and anxieties that have arisen from your association with the demons and the dhanaras will immediately be vanquished. Report. The Lord assured Bali Maharaj of all protection and finally the Lord assured him of protection from the effects of bad association with the demons. Wali Maharajah certainly became an exalted devotee but he was somewhat anxious because his association was not purely devotional.

The supreme personality of God had therefore assured him that his demonic mentality would be annihilated. In other words, by association of devotees the demonic mentality is vanquished. Satan Prasangan Mama Virgya Sangha Vido bhavanti Vitkarna Rasayana Katha when a demon associates with devotees engaged in glorifying the supreme personality of Godhead he gradually becomes a pure devotee. Thus end the bhakti be done to purports of the 8th canto. 22nd chapter of the Śrīmad Bhagwatam entitled Bali Maharaj surrenders his life. So Indra Dev, he got heavenly planet back. But Bali Maharaj, he got pure ecstatic love for God, got a better kingdom, got the eternal association of Kṛṣṇa. And in the future he will also get deposed as Indra to run the universe in a devotional spirit. So from this we can understand that a devotee can never lose by serving Kṛṣṇa.

By sacrificing for Kṛṣṇa, one can never lose. What do we gain if we don’t sacrifice anything for Kṛṣṇa? You see, we will gain simply that material comfort. But whatever we sacrifice in the cause of Kṛṣṇa that never goes wasted. In Māyāpur, after we constructed the big buildings Prabhupāda said that these buildings we have constructed for preaching so that people can visit here, stay here. It’s difficult for people from different parts of the world and big cities to come and live in these villages to see the holy dam. So we built these buildings. They can come and comfortably stay and worship Caitanya Mahāprabhu. But if you think that this village or these buildings are meant for your nice living and if you simply live here comfortably nothing utilizing them for preaching then that will be your result.

For all the effort, your result will be that you live here in a nice building. That’s the result. But if you use these for preaching if you use your energy for serving the cause of Caitanya Mahāprabhu not only will you live here, but you will get pure love for goddess. So the choice is ours. In this lifetime, we have the opportunity to fully perfect ourselves, to reach the summum bonum of life. So to what extent we are eager to achieve that and what extent we want to just let it slide, that is fully dependent upon us. Whatever one step we take to Kṛṣṇa takes ten steps towards us. Whatever little desire we have to serve Kṛṣṇa, he reciprocates so many times. If there’s some difficulty, that’s also a test. Those who are actually devoted, they overcome the test.

And those who are not devotionally minded, they fall under these tests because their objective is not pleasing Guru and Kṛṣṇa. The objective is comfortable life or some other type of material objective. Therefore, when some difficulty comes, it doesnt fit within the plan of a materialistically minded person. He wants no difficulty in his life. But hes not thinking of getting that simply by serving Kṛṣṇa, he is trying to do so by his own material plan. So then automatically hes exposed. Because then his devotional service is disrupted. When a devotee, even he meets difficulty that simply gives him more encouragement to increase his sadhana, to become more enthusiastic, to work harder, to be more careful, it causes a renewed effort. And so as a result of that, he comes closer and closer to Kṛṣṇa. It’s a.