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
Wer sich mit einspitzigem Geist den Lotosfüßen der Höchsten Persönlichkeit Gottes hingibt und stets an sie denkt, wird vom Herrn als der Seine, als Sein Diener anerkannt. Doch der Herr verleiht solchen Geweihten nicht die glänzenden Reichtümer der oberen, mittleren und unteren Welten, denn materieller Besitz vermehrt Feindschaft, Sorge, innere Unruhe, Hochmut, Streit, Unheil und mühsames Streben; und beim Verlust entsteht großes Leid.
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.