Shloka 55
Viśvarūpa’s Death, Vṛtrāsura’s Manifestation, and the Devas’ Surrender to Nārāyaṇa
तस्मिन् विनिहते यूयं तेजोऽस्त्रायुधसम्पद: । भूय: प्राप्स्यथ भद्रं वो न हिंसन्ति च मत्परान् ॥ ५५ ॥
tasmin vinihate yūyaṁ tejo-’strāyudha-sampadaḥ bhūyaḥ prāpsyatha bhadraṁ vo na hiṁsanti ca mat-parān
Apabila Vṛtrāsura dibunuh oleh kekuatan rohani-Ku, kamu akan memperoleh kembali daya, senjata, dan kekayaan; semoga kebaikan melimpah atas kamu. Walaupun dia mampu memusnahkan tiga alam, jangan takut dia akan mencederakan kamu; dia juga seorang bhakta dan tidak dengki terhadap para penyembah-Ku.
A devotee of the Lord is never envious of anyone, what to speak of other devotees. As revealed later, Vṛtrāsura was also a devotee. Therefore he was not expected to be envious of the demigods. Indeed, of his own accord, he would try to benefit the demigods. A devotee does not hesitate to give up his own body for a better cause. Cāṇakya Paṇḍita said, san-nimitte varaṁ tyāgo vināśe niyate sati. After all, all one’s material possessions, including his body, will be destroyed in due course of time. Therefore if the body and other possessions can be utilized for a better cause, a devotee never hesitates to give up even his own body. Because Lord Viṣṇu wanted to save the demigods, Vṛtrāsura, even though able to swallow the three worlds, would agree to be killed by the demigods. For a devotee there is no difference between living and dying because in this life a devotee engages in devotional service, and after giving up his body, he engages in the same service in the spiritual world. His devotional service is never hindered.
FAQs
Here Lord Viṣṇu assures that His devotees (mat-parāḥ) are not truly harmed; even amid conflict, their spiritual welfare is protected and they ultimately attain auspiciousness.
The demigods were distressed in the war with Vṛtrāsura; Viṣṇu encouraged them that after Vṛtrāsura is slain they will regain strength and weapons, and reminded them of the inviolable auspiciousness of devotion to Him.
It teaches steadiness in faith: even when circumstances seem threatening, devotion and integrity bring lasting welfare; temporary losses need not shake one’s spiritual confidence.