Shloka 21
Vṛtrāsura Instructs Indra on Providence and Devotion; The Slaying of Vṛtrāsura
खल्विदं महदाश्चर्यं यद् रज:प्रकृतेस्तव । वासुदेवे भगवति सत्त्वात्मनि दृढा मति: ॥ २१ ॥
khalv idaṁ mahad āścaryaṁ yad rajaḥ-prakṛtes tava vāsudeve bhagavati sattvātmani dṛḍhā matiḥ
O Vṛtrāsura, das ist wahrlich ein großes Wunder: Obwohl du ein Asura bist, gewöhnlich von rajas (Leidenschaft) gelenkt, ist dein Geist fest auf Bhagavān Vāsudeva gerichtet, der stets in reiner sattva (Güte) weilt.
King Indra wondered how Vṛtrāsura could have been elevated to the position of an exalted devotee. As for Prahlāda Mahārāja, he was initiated by Nārada Muni, and therefore it was possible for him to become a great devotee, although he was born in a family of demons. For Vṛtrāsura, however, Indra could not detect such causes. Therefore he was struck with wonder that Vṛtrāsura was such an exalted devotee that he could fix his mind without deviation upon the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa, Vāsudeva.
FAQs
This verse highlights that even if someone is influenced by rajas, firm bhakti can be fixed on Vāsudeva, who is pure sattva and the Soul of all—showing devotion can transcend material conditioning.
In the context of Vṛtrāsura’s extraordinary devotion, Indra expresses amazement that a person associated with passionate tendencies can still have unwavering conviction in Lord Vāsudeva.
Keep your decisions anchored in devotional priorities—regular hearing/chanting of Kṛṣṇa’s names and teachings—so that even amid passion, ambition, or stress, your core aim remains service to Vāsudeva.