Shloka 37
Kapila’s Devotional Sāṅkhya: Sādhu-saṅga, Bhakti-yoga, and Fearlessness in the Supreme Shelter
अथो विभूतिं मम मायाविनस्ता- मैश्वर्यमष्टाङ्गमनुप्रवृत्तम् । श्रियं भागवतीं वास्पृहयन्ति भद्रां परस्य मे तेऽश्नुवते तु लोके ॥ ३७ ॥
atho vibhūtiṁ mama māyāvinas tām aiśvaryam aṣṭāṅgam anupravṛttam śriyaṁ bhāgavatīṁ vāspṛhayanti bhadrāṁ parasya me te ’śnuvate tu loke
जो भक्त मुझमें पूर्णतः लीन है, वह सत्यलोक आदि उच्च लोकों का परम वर भी नहीं चाहता, न योग से मिलने वाली अष्ट सिद्धियाँ, न ही वैकुण्ठ-राज्य की लालसा। फिर भी, इच्छा न रखते हुए भी, वह इसी जीवन में मेरे द्वारा दी गई समस्त मंगलमयी कृपाओं का अनुभव करता है।
The vibhūti, or opulences, offered by māyā are of many varieties. We have experience of different varieties of material enjoyment even on this planet, but if one is able to promote himself to higher planets like Candraloka, the sun or, still higher, Maharloka, Janaloka and Tapoloka, or even ultimately the highest planet, which is inhabited by Brahmā and is called Satyaloka, there are immense possibilities for material enjoyment. For example, the duration of life on higher planets is far, far greater than on this planet. It is said that on the moon the duration of life is such that our six months are equal to one day. We cannot even imagine the duration of life on the highest planet. It is stated in Bhagavad-gītā that Brahmā’s twelve hours are inconceivable even to our mathematicians. These are all descriptions of the external energy of the Lord, or māyā. Besides these, there are other opulences which the yogīs can achieve by their mystic power. They are also material. A devotee does not aspire for all these material pleasures, although they are available to him simply by wishing. By the grace of the Lord, a devotee can achieve wonderful success simply by willing, but a real devotee does not like that. Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu has taught that one should not desire material opulence or material reputation, nor should one try to enjoy material beauty; one should simply aspire to be absorbed in the devotional service of the Lord, even if one does not get liberation but has to continue the process of birth and death unlimitedly. Actually, however, to one who engages in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, liberation is already guaranteed. Devotees enjoy all the benefits of the higher planets and the Vaikuṇṭha planets also. It is especially mentioned here, bhāgavatīṁ bhadrām. In the Vaikuṇṭha planets everything is eternally peaceful, yet a pure devotee does not even aspire to be promoted there. But still he gets that advantage; he enjoys all the facilities of the material and spiritual worlds, even during the present life span.
FAQs
In this verse, Lord Kapila explains that when māyā is destroyed, the devotee attains the Lord’s eightfold lordly opulences in a fully manifest way—yet remains free from material hankering.
Because the devotee’s fulfillment is higher than svarga-like rewards: having attained freedom from illusion and the supreme fortune of belonging to the Lord, they no longer crave worldly or heavenly gains.
Cultivate devotion that reduces māyā-driven craving—measure success by inner steadiness and God-centered purpose rather than status, pleasure, or “better worlds” of achievement.