Shloka 24
Vṛtrāsura Rebukes Indra; Heroic Combat and the Asura’s Pure Devotional Prayers
अहं हरे तव पादैकमूल- दासानुदासो भवितास्मि भूय: । मन: स्मरेतासुपतेर्गुणांस्ते गृणीत वाक् कर्म करोतु काय: ॥ २४ ॥
ahaṁ hare tava pādaika-mūla- dāsānudāso bhavitāsmi bhūyaḥ manaḥ smaretāsu-pater guṇāṁs te gṛṇīta vāk karma karotu kāyaḥ
ਹੇ ਹਰੀ! ਜੋ ਕੇਵਲ ਤੇਰੇ ਚਰਨ ਕਮਲਾਂ ਦੀ ਸ਼ਰਨ ਲੈਂਦੇ ਹਨ, ਉਹਨਾਂ ਨਿੱਤ ਸੇਵਕਾਂ ਦੇ ਵੀ ਦਾਸ ਦਾ ਦਾਸ ਕੀ ਮੈਂ ਫਿਰ ਬਣ ਸਕਾਂਗਾ? ਹੇ ਪ੍ਰਾਣਨਾਥ! ਮੈਨੂੰ ਮੁੜ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਸੇਵਕ ਬਣਾ ਦੇ, ਤਾਂ ਜੋ ਮੇਰਾ ਮਨ ਸਦਾ ਤੇਰੇ ਦਿਵ੍ਯ ਗੁਣਾਂ ਦਾ ਸਿਮਰਨ ਕਰੇ, ਮੇਰੀ ਬਾਣੀ ਉਹਨਾਂ ਦਾ ਕੀਰਤਨ ਕਰੇ, ਅਤੇ ਮੇਰਾ ਸਰੀਰ ਪ੍ਰੇਮ ਨਾਲ ਤੇਰੀ ਸੇਵਾ ਵਿੱਚ ਲੱਗਾ ਰਹੇ।
This verse gives the sum and substance of devotional life. One must first become a servant of the servant of the servant of the Lord ( dāsānudāsa ). Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu advised, and He also showed by His own example, that a living entity should always desire to be a servant of the servant of the servant of Kṛṣṇa, the maintainer of the gopīs ( gopī-bhartuḥ pada-kamalayor dāsa-dāsānudāsaḥ ). This means that one must accept a spiritual master who comes in the disciplic succession and is a servant of the servant of the Lord. Under his direction, one must then engage one’s three properties, namely his body, mind and words. The body should be engaged in physical activity under the order of the master, the mind should think of Kṛṣṇa incessantly, and one’s words should be engaged in preaching the glories of the Lord. If one is thus engaged in the loving service of the Lord, one’s life is successful.
FAQs
This verse teaches that true devotion is expressed through humility—seeking identity not as an independent devotee, but as the servant of those who have taken exclusive shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet.
Although facing death in battle, Vṛtrāsura reveals pure bhakti: he asks not for victory or liberation, but for continued association with devotees and wholehearted engagement of mind, speech, and body in the Lord’s service.
Remember the Lord through daily contemplation or japa (mind), speak about His names and teachings respectfully (speech), and dedicate practical actions—work, service, charity, or temple/community help—as an offering (body).