Text 14] Rsabhadeva’s Appearance 127

TRANSLATION

Dear Lord, unless one worships the lotus feet of great devotees,
one will be conquered by the illusory energy, and his intelligence
will be bewildered. Indeed, who has not been carried away by the
waves of material enjoyment, which are like poison? Your illusory
energy is unconquerable. No one can see the path of this material
energy or tell how it is working.

PURPORT

Maharaja Nabhi was inclined to performing great sacrifices for
begetting a son. The son might be as good as the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, but such a material desire—be it great or insignificant —is
brought about by the influence of maya. A devotee does not at all desire
anything for sense gratification. Devotion is therefore explained as
devoid of material desires (anyabhildsita-Sinya). Everyone is subjected
to the influence of mdydé and entangled in all kinds of material desire.
and Maharaja Nabhi was no exception. Freedom from mdya’s influence is
possible when one engages in the service of the great devotees (mahac-
carana-seva). Without worshiping the lotus feet of a great devotee. one
cannot be freed from maya’s influence. Srila Narottama dasa Thakura
therefore says, chddiyd vaisnava-sevd nistara pdyeche keba: *“Who has
been freed from mdya’s clutches without serving the lotus feet of a
Vaisnava?” Maya is apardyita, and her influence is also apardjita. As
confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (7.14):

daivi hy esa gunamayi
mama maya duratyaya

“This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material
nature, is difficult to overcome.”

Only a devotee can surpass mdya’s great influence. It was no fault on
Maharaja Nabhi’s part that he wanted a son. He wanted a son like the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the best of all sons. By the asso-
ciation of the Lord’s devotee, one no longer desires material opulence.
This is confirmed in Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 22.54):
