Shloka 20
एतावतालं ननु सूचितेन गुणैरसाम्यानतिशायनस्य । हित्वेतरान् प्रार्थयतो विभूति- र्यस्याङ्घ्रिरेणुं जुषतेऽनभीप्सो: ॥ २० ॥
etāvatālaṁ nanu sūcitena guṇair asāmyānatiśāyanasya hitvetarān prārthayato vibhūtir yasyāṅghri-reṇuṁ juṣate ’nabhīpsoḥ
This much is enough to indicate that He is unequaled and surpasses all; therefore no one can speak of Him adequately. The great demigods pray for the favor of Lakṣmī yet do not attain it, whereas that very Lakṣmī serves the dust of His lotus feet, though He has no desire for such service.
The Personality of Godhead, or the Parameśvara Parabrahman, according to the śrutis, has nothing to do. He has no equal. Nor does anyone excel Him. He has unlimited potencies, and His every action is carried out systematically in His natural and perfect ways. Thus the Supreme Personality of Godhead is full in Himself, and He has nothing to accept from anyone else, including the great demigods like Brahmā. Others ask for the favor of the goddess of fortune, and despite such prayers she declines to award such favors. But still she renders service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, although He has nothing to accept from her. The Personality of Godhead in His Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu feature begets Brahmā, the first created person in the material world, from His navel lotus stem and not in the womb of the goddess of fortune, who is eternally engaged in His service. These are some of the instances of His complete independence and perfection. That He has nothing to do does not mean that He is impersonal. He is transcendentally so full of inconceivable potencies that simply by His willing, everything is done without physical or personal endeavor. He is called, therefore, Yogeśvara, or the Lord of all mystic powers.
FAQs
This verse says the Lord’s supremacy is evident from His unique qualities—He is matchless and beyond comparison, and even His own divine opulence is drawn to serve the dust of His lotus feet.
To show that true greatness is not in being served by wealth, but in being so spiritually complete that even prosperity (personified as Śrī/Lakṣmī) naturally takes shelter of Him, while He remains desireless.
Prioritize devotion and character over status—reduce chasing external gains and cultivate humble service, remembering that real fulfillment comes from spiritual shelter, not from possessions.