Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 48
Diti’s Untimely Desire and the Birth-Cause of the Asura Line
Prelude to Hiranyākṣa–Varāha
स वै महाभागवतो महात्मा महानुभावो महतां महिष्ठ: । प्रवृद्धभक्त्या ह्यनुभाविताशये निवेश्य वैकुण्ठमिमं विहास्यति ॥ ४८ ॥
sa vai mahā-bhāgavato mahātmā mahānubhāvo mahatāṁ mahiṣṭhaḥ pravṛddha-bhaktyā hy anubhāvitāśaye niveśya vaikuṇṭham imaṁ vihāsyati
Dia akan menjadi bhakta Bhagavata yang tertinggi, mahātma yang agung dan paling mulia antara para jiwa besar. Dengan bhakti yang matang, dia teguh dalam ekstasi rohani dan setelah meninggalkan jasad ini akan memasuki Vaikuṇṭha.
There are three stages of transcendental development in devotional service, which are technically called sthāyi-bhāva, anubhāva and mahābhāva. Continual perfect love of Godhead is called sthāyi-bhāva, and when it is performed in a particular type of transcendental relationship it is called anubhāva. But the stage of mahābhāva is visible amongst the personal pleasure potencies of the Lord. It is understood that the grandson of Diti, namely Prahlāda Mahārāja, would constantly meditate on the Lord and reiterate His activities. Because he would constantly remain in meditation, he would easily transfer himself to the spiritual world after quitting his material body. Such meditation is still more conveniently performed by chanting and hearing the holy name of the Lord. This is especially recommended in this Age of Kali.
FAQs
This verse describes a topmost devotee as a mahātmā with profound spiritual influence, the foremost among the great, whose inner heart is purified and empowered by ever-increasing devotion.
It means that by mature bhakti a pure devotee lives in and reveals the Lord’s presence everywhere—seeing and engaging the world in the Lord’s service—so the world is experienced as the Lord’s realm rather than a place of bondage.
Increase steady devotional practice so the heart’s motives become purified; then relate daily duties, relationships, and work to service and remembrance of the Lord, reducing attachment and seeing life through a Vaikuṇṭha-centered vision.