Lord Shiva--Striking Example Of Spiritual Pride

2010-03-06
Srimad Bhagavatam 08.12.47 - Lord Shiva--Striking Example Of Spiritual Pride (download mp3)
by Radhanath Swami at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net






SB 8.12.47
asad-avisayam anghrim bhava-gamyam prapannan
amrtam amara-varyan asayat sindhu-mathyam
kapata-yuvati-veso mohayan yah surarims
tam aham upasrtanam kama-puram nato 'smi

Translation: 
Assuming the form of a young woman and thus bewildering the demons, the Supreme Personality of Godhead distributed to His devotees, the demigods, the nectar produced from the churning of the ocean of milk. Unto that Supreme Personality of Godhead, who always fulfills the desires of His devotees, I offer my respectful obeisances.

Purport: 
The instruction of this narration concerning the churning of the milk ocean is clearly manifested by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although He is equal to everyone, because of natural affection He favors His devotees. The Lord says in Bhagavad-gita (9.29):

samo 'ham sarva-bhutesu
na me dvesyo 'sti na priyah
ye bhajanti tu mam bhaktya
mayi te tesu capy aham

"I envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, and I am also a friend to him." This partiality of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is natural. A person cares for his children not because of partiality but in a reciprocation of love. The children depend on the father's affection, and the father affectionately maintains the children. Similarly, because devotees do not know anything but the lotus feet of the Lord, the Lord is always prepared to give protection to His devotees and fulfill their desires. He therefore says, kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati: [Bg. 9.31] "O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes."

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Eighth Canto, Twelfth Chapter, of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, entitled "The Mohini-murti Incarnation Bewilders Lord Siva."