SB 11.4.8
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Please note: The synonyms, translation and purport of this verse were composed by disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda
TEXT 8
- vijñāya śakra-kṛtam akramam ādi-devaḥ
- prāha prahasya gata-vismaya ejamānān
- mā bhair vibho madana māruta deva-vadhvo
- gṛhṇīta no balim aśūnyam imaṁ kurudhvam
SYNONYMS
vijñāya — understanding perfectly; śakra — by Indra; kṛtam — committed; akramam — the offense; ādi-devaḥ — the original Personality of Godhead; prāha — He spoke; prahasya — laughing; gata-vismayaḥ — free from pride; ejamānān — to those who were trembling; mā bhaiḥ — please have no fear; vibho — O mighty one; madana — Cupid; māruta — O god of the wind; deva-vadhvaḥ — O wives of the demigods; gṛhṇīta — please accept; naḥ — from Us; balim — these gifts; aśūnyam — not empty; imam — this (āśrama); kurudhvam — please make.
Translation and purport composed by disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda
TRANSLATION
The primeval Lord, understanding the offense committed by Indra, did not become proud. Instead He spoke laughingly as follows to Cupid and his followers, who were trembling before Him: "Do not fear, O mighty Madana, O wind-god and wives of the demigods. Rather, please accept these gifts I am offering you and kindly sanctify My āśrama by your presence."
PURPORT
The word gata-vismayaḥ, or "free from false pride," is very significant. If one becomes proud by performing severe penances, such penances are considered material. One should not think, "I am a great, austere personality." Śrī Nara-Nārāyaṇa could immediately understand the foolishness of Indra, and thus He was amused by the whole situation. Cupid and the heavenly women, understanding their great offense, were trembling before Nara-Nārāyaṇa in fear of receiving a powerful curse. But the Lord, exhibiting most sublime saintly behavior, reassured them by saying, mā bhaiḥ—"Don't worry about it"—and actually offered them nice prasādam and articles of worship. "If you do not give Me the opportunity to act as host to the demigods and other respectable personalities," He said, "what will be the use of My āśrama? My āśrama will be void without the opportunity to receive respectable personalities such as you."
Similarly, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is establishing beautiful centers in all the major cities of the world. In some of these centers, such as those in Los Angeles, Bombay, London, Paris and Melbourne, the Society has established very gorgeous preaching āśramas. But the Vaiṣṇavas who live in these beautiful buildings feel that the buildings are void if guests do not come to hear about Kṛṣṇa and chant His holy name. Thus, one may establish a beautiful āśrama not for one's personal sense gratification but to execute Kṛṣṇa consciousness peacefully and encourage others to take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness also.