Shloka 4
Kṛṣṇa’s Arrival at Dvārakā
Dvārakā-praveśa and Bhakta-vātsalya
तत्रोपनीतबलयो रवेर्दीपमिवादृता: । आत्मारामं पूर्णकामं निजलाभेन नित्यदा ॥ ४ ॥ प्रीत्युत्फुल्लमुखा: प्रोचुर्हर्षगद्गदया गिरा । पितरं सर्वसुहृदमवितारमिवार्भका: ॥ ५ ॥
tatropanīta-balayo raver dīpam ivādṛtāḥ ātmārāmaṁ pūrṇa-kāmaṁ nija-lābhena nityadā
Die Bürger traten mit ihren jeweiligen Gaben vor den Herrn und brachten sie Ihm dar, dem ātmārāma und pūrṇa-kāma, der in Sich selbst vollkommen zufrieden ist und durch Seine eigene Macht unablässig alle erhält. Diese Darbringungen waren wie das Darreichen einer Lampe an die Sonne; dennoch begrüßten sie Ihn mit von Bhakti erblühten Gesichtern und vor Freude stockender Stimme, wie Kinder ihren Beschützer und Vater, den Freund aller, empfangen.
The Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa is described herein as ātmārāma. He is self-sufficient, and there is no need for Him to seek happiness from anything beyond Himself. He is self-sufficient because His very transcendental existence is total bliss. He is eternally existent; He is all-cognizant and all-blissful. Therefore, any presentation, however valuable it may be, is not needed by Him. But still, because He is the well-wisher for one and all, He accepts from everyone everything that is offered to Him in pure devotional service. It is not that He is in want for such things, because the things are themselves generated from His energy. The comparison is made herein that making offerings to the Lord is something like offering a lamp in the worship of the sun-god. Anything fiery and illuminating is but an emanation of the energy of the sun, and yet to worship the sun-god it is necessary to offer him a lamp. In the worship of the sun, there is some sort of demand made by the worshiper, but in the case of devotional service to the Lord, there is no question of demand from either side. It is all a sign of pure love and affection between the Lord and the devotee.
FAQs
It means Kṛṣṇa is fully satisfied in Himself and lacks nothing; His happiness and fulfillment are intrinsic, not dependent on external gain.
The verse highlights their reverence: just as a lamp is respectfully treated even when the sun rises, devotees honor the Lord with the same devotion, recognizing His supreme presence.
It teaches inner completeness—cultivate contentment and devotion rather than chasing fulfillment solely through external achievements.