Srimad Bhagavatam — Shashtha Skandha, Shloka 22
Vṛtrāsura Rebukes Indra; Heroic Combat and the Asura’s Pure Devotional Prayers
पुंसां किलैकान्तधियां स्वकानां या: सम्पदो दिवि भूमौ रसायाम् । न राति यद्द्वेष उद्वेग आधि- र्मद: कलिर्व्यसनं सम्प्रयास: ॥ २२ ॥
puṁsāṁ kilaikānta-dhiyāṁ svakānāṁ yāḥ sampado divi bhūmau rasāyām na rāti yad dveṣa udvega ādhir madaḥ kalir vyasanaṁ samprayāsaḥ
Persons who fully surrender at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and always think of His lotus feet are accepted and recognized by the Lord as His own personal assistants or servants. The Lord never bestows upon such servants the brilliant opulences of the upper, lower and middle planetary systems of this material world. When one possesses material opulence in any of these three divisions of the universe, his possessions naturally increase his enmity, anxiety, mental agitation, pride and belligerence. Thus one goes through much endeavor to increase and maintain his possessions, and he suffers great unhappiness when he loses them.
In Bhagavad-gītā (4.11) the Lord says:
FAQs
This verse says that worldly and heavenly opulences are not a true blessing for one-pointed devotees, because such prosperity tends to produce envy, agitation, anxiety, pride, quarrel, misfortune, and exhausting struggle.
While facing Indra in battle, Vṛtrāsura reveals the mood of a pure devotee: he is not tempted by celestial gains or power, and he highlights how material ‘success’ often entangles the mind in conflict and distress.
Use success and resources without obsession—reduce comparison and rivalry, keep spiritual priorities first, and notice how envy, anxiety, and constant striving decrease when devotion becomes the central aim.