Srimad Bhagavatam — Chaturtha Skandha, Shloka 20
Lord Viṣṇu Instructs Pṛthu: Forgiveness, Ātmā-Deha Viveka, and the Bhakti Ideal of Kingship
प्रस्थानाभिमुखोऽप्येनमनुग्रहविलम्बित: । पश्यन् पद्मपलाशाक्षो न प्रतस्थे सुहृत्सताम् ॥ २० ॥
prasthānābhimukho ’py enam anugraha-vilambitaḥ paśyan padma-palāśākṣo na pratasthe suhṛt satām
भगवान् प्रस्थानास उद्यत होते; परंतु महाराज पृथूच्या सदाचारावर कृपावश ते थांबले. कमलनयन प्रभु भक्तांचे हितचिंतक असल्याने ते निघाले नाहीत.
Here the words suhṛt satām are very significant. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is always very inclined toward His devotee and is always thinking of the devotee’s well-being. This is not partiality. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, the Lord is equal to everyone ( samo ’haṁ sarva-bhūteṣu ), but to one who particularly engages in His service, He is very much inclined. In another place, the Lord says that a devotee always exists in His heart and He also exists always in the heart of the devotee.
FAQs
This verse shows that even when one is ready to depart, the Lord’s merciful presence and the affection of saintly well-wishers can naturally hold the devotee back, because the heart becomes absorbed in seeing Him.
Because he was delayed by the Lord’s favor and became captivated by the vision of the lotus-eyed Lord; the devotee finds it difficult to turn away from such divine association.
Prioritize holy association and regular darśana through śravaṇam-kīrtanam; when devotion deepens, worldly urgency loosens and decisions become guided by gratitude and remembrance of the Lord.