Bali Maharaja.

[Guest guest]

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

Purport to canto 8 ch.20 text 12

"The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu, is worshiped by the proper

execution of prescribed duties in the system of varna and asrama. There is

no other way to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead."(Visnu Purana

3.8.9.) One must ultimately worship Lord Visnu, and for that purpose the

varnasrama system organizes society into brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas,

sudras, brahmacaris, grhasta, vanaprastas and sannyasis. Bali Maharaja,

having been perfectly educated in devotional service by his grandfather

Prahlada Maharaja, knew how things are to be done. He was never to be

misguided by anyone, even by a person who happened to be his so-called

spiritual master. This is a sign of full surrender. Bhaktivinoda Thakura

said:

marabi rakhabi - yo iccha tohara

nitya-dasa-prati tuya adhikara

 

When one surrenders to Lord Visnu, one must be prepared to abide by his

orders in all circumstances, whether He kills one or gives one protection.

Lord Visnu must be worshiped in all circumstances."

 

Purport to text 14

"The difference between the behavior of Bali Maharaja and that of his

spiritual master, Sukracarya, was that Bali Maharaja had already developed

love of Godhead, whereas Sukracarya, being merely a priest of routine

rituals, had not. Thus Sukracarya was never inspired by the Supreme

Personality of Godhead to develop in devotional service. As stated by the

Lord Himself in Bhagavad Gita (10.10):

"To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give the

understanding by which they can come to Me."

 

My understanding after reading these verses and the different interesting

viewpoints on this conference is that even if someone might be already

elevated to the stage of love of Godhead,(by associating with the

grandfather/Srila Prabhupada for instance) we should still follow the system

of varnasrama which includes siksa and diksa from a bonafide spiritual

master. We should also be extremely careful about making judgements of the

advancement of others based on their material situation. There are unlimited

varieties and mixtures of karma, modes of nature and levels of spiritual

elevation and each living entity has his/her own tests to pass. Better safe

than sorry!

 

"When Vamanadeva appeared before Bali Maharaja, Bali Maharaja immediately

wanted to offer Him respectful obeisances, but he was unable to do so

because of the presence of Sukracarya and other demoniac associates. The

Lord is so merciful, however, that although Bali Maharaja did not actually

offer obeisances but only endeavoured to do so within his mind, the Supreme

Personality of Godhead blessed him with more mercy than even the demigods

could ever expect. As confirmed in Bhagavad Gita (2.40) "Even a little

advanchement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of

fear." The Supreme Personality of Godhead is known as bhava-grahi janardana

because He takes only the essence of a devotees attitude. If a devotee

sincerely surrenders, the Lord, as the Supersoul in everyones heart,

immediately understands this. Thus even though, externally, a devotee may

not render full service, if he is internally sincere and serious the Lord

welcomes his service nonetheless. Thus the Lord is known as bhava-grahi

janardana because He takes the essence of one's devotional mentality."

 

 

With all respect

Your servant Gunamani d.d.