Shloka 37
Vasudeva and Devakī Glorify Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma; The Recovery of Devakī’s Six Sons from Sutala
समर्हयामास स तौ विभूतिभि- र्महार्हवस्त्राभरणानुलेपनै: । ताम्बूलदीपामृतभक्षणादिभि: स्वगोत्रवित्तात्मसमर्पणेन च ॥ ३७ ॥
samarhayām āsa sa tau vibhūtibhir mahārha-vastrābharaṇānulepanaiḥ tāmbūla-dīpāmṛta-bhakṣaṇādibhiḥ sva-gotra-vittātma-samarpaṇena ca
Er verehrte Sie mit all seinem Reichtum: unschätzbaren Gewändern, Schmuck, duftender Sandelpaste, Betel, Lampen, köstlichen Speisen und vielem mehr. So übergab er Ihnen den gesamten Besitz seines Geschlechts und auch sich selbst.
Bali Mahārāja’s devotional attitude is renowned as the perfect example of complete self-surrender. When Lord Viṣṇu in the guise of a young brāhmaṇa student approached him for charity, Bali offered all he possessed, and when he had nothing more to offer, he surrendered himself as the Supreme Lord’s eternal servant.
FAQs
This verse shows ideal atithi-seva: the host offers valuable items and heartfelt surrender—family, wealth, and self—treating exalted guests with reverence and devotion.
Because honoring saintly persons is itself bhakti and dharma; Kṛṣṇa demonstrates the perfect standard of respect and service toward great sages like Nārada and Parvata.
Serve guests and spiritually advanced people with sincerity—offer your time, attention, and resources according to your capacity, and cultivate the mood of selfless service rather than mere formality.