138 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 6, Ch. 9
such as the demigods, are called sakama because they still want to enjoy
material opulence. Because of their pious activities, the sakama devotees
are promoted to the higher planetary systems, but at heart they still
desire to lord it over the material resources. The sakama devotees are
sometimes disturbed by the demons and Raksasas, but the Lord is so kind
that He always saves them by appearing as an incarnation. The Lord’s in-
carnations are so powerful that Lord Vamanadeva covered the entire uni-
verse with two steps and therefore had no place for His third step. The
Lord is called Trivikrama because He showed His strength by delivering
the entire universe with merely three steps.

The difference between sakama and akdma devotees is that when
sakama devotees, like the demigods, fall into difficulty, they approach
the Supreme Personality of Godhead for relief, whereas akama devotees,
even in the greatest danger, never disturb the Lord for material benefits.
Even if an akama devotee is suffering, he thinks this is due to his past
impious activities and agrees to suffer the consequences. He never dis-
turbs the Lord. Sakdma devotees immediately pray to the Lord as soon as
they are in difficulty, but they are regarded as pious because they con-
sider themselves fully dependent on the mercy of the Lord. As stated in
Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.14.8):

tat te ‘nukampam susamiksamano
bhuijana evatma-krtam vipakam
hrd-vag-vapurbhir vidadhan namas te
Jiveta yo mukti-pade sa daya-bhak
Even while suffering in the midst of difficulties, devotees simply offer
their prayers and service more enthusiastically. In this way they become
firmly fixed in devotional service and eligible to return home, back to
Godhead, without a doubt. Sakama devotees, of course, achieve from the
Lord the results they desire from their prayers, but they do not im-
mediately become fit to return to Godhead. It is to be noted herein that
Lord Visnu, in His various incarnations, is always the protector of His
devotees. Srila Madhvacarya says: vividham bhava-patratvat sarve visnor
vibhitayah. Krsna is the original Personality of Godhead (krsnas tu
bhagavan svayam). All the other incarnations proceed from Lord Visnu.
