Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 1
Deva–Asura Battle after the Nectar; Bali’s Illusions and Hari’s Intervention
श्रीशुक उवाच इति दानवदैतेया नाविन्दन्नमृतं नृप । युक्ता: कर्मणि यत्ताश्च वासुदेवपराङ्मुखा: ॥ १ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca iti dānava-daiteyā nāvindann amṛtaṁ nṛpa yuktāḥ karmaṇi yattāś ca vāsudeva-parāṅmukhāḥ
Śukadeva dit : Ô roi, les Dānava et les Daitya s’employèrent avec une attention et un effort complets au barattage de l’océan, mais, tournant le dos à Vāsudeva (Śrī Kṛṣṇa), ils ne purent obtenir le nectar.
FAQs
Because they were vāsudeva-parāṅmukha—averse to Vāsudeva—so despite intense effort in the churning-related work, they were not granted the nectar.
To highlight that mere endeavor or ritual labor is insufficient without devotion and right orientation toward the Supreme Lord, a central theme Parīkṣit seeks to understand before death.
It teaches that success without God-centered intention can still leave one spiritually empty; align work with remembrance, humility, and devotion to Vāsudeva for lasting benefit.