Simplicity The Greatest Jewel Of A Devotee


2010-06-16
Srimad Bhagavatam 08.20.16-19 - Simplicity The Greatest Jewel Of A Devotee (download mp3)
by Akincana Krishna Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.net





SB 8.20.16
eva saptah sva-guruna
satyan na calito mahan
vamanaya dadav enam
arcitvodaka-purvakam

Translation:
Sukadeva Gosvami continued: Even after being cursed in this way by his own spiritual master, Bali Maharaja, being a great personality, never deviated from his determination. Therefore, according to custom, he first offered water to Vamanadeva and then offered Him the gift of land he had promised.

SB 8.20.17
vindhyavalis tadagatya
patni jalaka-malini
aninye kalasam haimam
avanejany-apam bhrtam

Translation:
Bali Maharaja's wife, known as Vindhyavali, who was decorated with a necklace of pearls, immediately came and had a large golden waterpot brought there, full of water with which to worship the Lord by washing His feet.

SB 8.20.18
yajamanah svayam tasya
srimat pada-yugam muda
avanijyavahan murdhni
tad apo visva-pavanih
Translation:
Bali Maharaja, the worshiper of Lord Vamanadeva, jubilantly washed the Lord's lotus feet and then took the water on his head, for that water delivers the entire universe.

SB 8.20.19
tadasurendram divi devata-gana
gandharva-vidyadhara-siddha-caranah
tat karma sarve 'pi grnanta arjavam
prasuna-varsair vavrsur mudanvitah

Translation:
At that time, the residents of the higher planetary system, namely the demigods, the Gandharvas, the Vidyadharas, the Siddhas and the Caranas, all being very pleased by Bali Maharaja's simple, nonduplicitous act, praised his qualities and showered upon him millions of flowers.

Purport:
Arjavam—simplicity or freedom from duplicity—is a qualification of a brahmana and a Vaisnava. A Vaisnava automatically acquires all the qualities of a brahmana.

yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akiñcana
sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah
(SB 5.18.12)

A Vaisnava should possess the brahminical qualities such as satya, sama, dama, titiksa and arjava [Bg. 18.42]. There cannot be any duplicity in the character of a Vaisnava. When Bali Maharaja acted with unflinching faith and devotion unto the lotus feet of Lord Visnu, this was very much appreciated by all the residents of the higher planetary system.