Shloka 20
Vṛtrāsura Instructs Indra on Providence and Devotion; The Slaying of Vṛtrāsura
भवानतार्षीन्मायां वै वैष्णवीं जनमोहिनीम् । यद् विहायासुरं भावं महापुरुषतां गत: ॥ २० ॥
bhavān atārṣīn māyāṁ vai vaiṣṇavīṁ jana-mohinīm yad vihāyāsuraṁ bhāvaṁ mahā-puruṣatāṁ gataḥ
ਤੂੰ ਭਗਵਾਨ ਵਿਸ਼ਨੂ ਦੀ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਮੋਹਣ ਵਾਲੀ ਵੈਸ਼ਣਵੀ ਮਾਇਆ ਨੂੰ ਪਾਰ ਕਰ ਲਿਆ ਹੈ। ਇਸ ਕਰਕੇ ਤੂੰ ਆਸੁਰੀ ਭਾਵ ਛੱਡ ਕੇ ਮਹਾਪੁਰਖ-ਭਗਤ ਦਾ ਪਦ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ।
Lord Viṣṇu is the mahā-puruṣa. Therefore one who becomes a Vaiṣṇava attains the position of a mahā-pauruṣya. This position was attained by Mahārāja Parīkṣit. It is said in the Padma Purāṇa that the distinction between a demigod and a demon is that a demigod is a devotee of Lord Viṣṇu whereas a demon is just the opposite: viṣṇu-bhaktaḥ smṛto daiva āsuras tad-viparyayaḥ. Vṛtrāsura was considered a demon, but actually he was more than qualified as a devotee, or mahā-pauruṣya. If one somehow becomes a devotee of the Supreme Lord, whatever his position, he can be brought to the position of a perfect person. This is possible if an unalloyed devotee tries to serve the Lord by delivering him in this way. Therefore Śukadeva Gosvāmī says in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (2.4.18) :
FAQs
This verse says that Vaiṣṇavī māyā bewilders living beings, but one can transcend it by giving up the asuric mentality and becoming saintly—turning toward devotion and truth.
In the midst of their battle, Vṛtrāsura addresses Indra with spiritual insight, acknowledging Indra’s capacity to rise above delusion and act with higher, saintly consciousness rather than ego or hatred.
Replace envy, domination, and self-centeredness with humility, self-control, and service—choosing dharmic actions and devotion over reactive pride and competition.