Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 1
Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention
श्रीशुक उवाच इति दानवदैतेया नाविन्दन्नमृतं नृप । युक्ता: कर्मणि यत्ताश्च वासुदेवपराङ्मुखा: ॥ १ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca iti dānava-daiteyā nāvindann amṛtaṁ nṛpa yuktāḥ karmaṇi yattāś ca vāsudeva-parāṅmukhāḥ
শ্রীশুকদেব বললেন—হে রাজন! দানব ও দৈত্যরা সমুদ্র মন্থনে সম্পূর্ণ মনোযোগ ও পরিশ্রম করেছিল, কিন্তু বাসুদেব (শ্রীকৃষ্ণ)-বিমুখ হওয়ায় তারা অমৃত লাভ করতে পারল না।
FAQs
Because they were vāsudeva-parāṅmukha—averse to Vāsudeva—so despite intense effort in the churning-related work, they were not granted the nectar.
To highlight that mere endeavor or ritual labor is insufficient without devotion and right orientation toward the Supreme Lord, a central theme Parīkṣit seeks to understand before death.
It teaches that success without God-centered intention can still leave one spiritually empty; align work with remembrance, humility, and devotion to Vāsudeva for lasting benefit.