Selfless Service of Devaki and Vasudev

2017-12-13
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.05.50-52 - Selfless Service of Devaki and Vasudev (download mp3)
by Hare Krishna Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.com








SB 11.5.50
bhu-bharasura-rajanya-
 hantave guptaye satam
avatirnasya nirvrtyai
 yaso loke vitanyate

Translation:
The Supreme Personality of Godhead descended to kill the demoniac kings who were the burden of the earth and to protect the saintly devotees. However, both the demons and the devotees are awarded liberation by the Lord’s mercy. Thus, His transcendental fame has spread throughout the universe.

Purport:
A doubt may arise as to how the Supreme Personality of Godhead descends to this material world. And since He is the omnipotent creator of millions of universes, why do the devotees glorify as wonderful the Lord’s activities such as His killing a witch named Putana by sucking out her life through her breast? Although such activities are certainly beyond the scope of ordinary human beings, why should they be considered wonderful when executed by the omnipotent Personality of Godhead? The answer is given in this verse by the word nirvrtyai. The Lord killed the demons not because He was envious of them, but in order to give them spiritual liberation. Thus the causeless mercy of the Personality of Godhead in liberating both the devotees and the demons by His inconceivable pastimes clearly distinguishes the Lord from any other living entity, either man or demigod. It is stated, mukti-pradata sarvesam visnur eva na samsayah: only Visnu can give liberation beyond birth and death. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has pointed out that generally the demons are awarded impersonal liberation in the Brahman effulgence, whereas the devotees are given the superior benediction of love of Godhead in the spiritual planets. Thus, the Lord exhibits His causeless mercy toward all classes of living entities, and His fame is spread throughout the universe. Because Krsna is transcendental, His fame is not different from His personal incarnation, so as the Lord’s fame expands, the entire universe is gradually liberated. These are some of the unique characteristics of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.


SB 11.5.51
sri-suka uvaca
etac chrutva maha-bhago
 vasudevo ’ti-vismitah
devaki ca maha-bhaga
 jahatur moham atmanah

Translation:
Sri Sukadeva Gosvami continued: Having heard this narration, the greatly fortunate Vasudeva was completely struck with wonder. Thus he and his most blessed wife Devaki gave up all illusion and anxiety that had entered their hearts.

SB 11.5.52
itihasam imam punyam
 dharayed yah samahitah
sa vidhuyeha samalam
 brahma-bhuyaya kalpate

Translation:
Anyone who meditates on this pious historical narration with fixed attention will purify himself of all contamination in this very life and thus achieve the highest spiritual perfection.

Purport:
Thus end the purports of the humble servants of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada to the Eleventh Canto, Fifth Chapter, of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, entitled “Narada Concludes His Teachings to Vasudeva.”

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