142 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 6, Ch. 9

the original cause of all causes. A pure devotee is aware that since
nothing is unknown to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He need not
be informed of a devotee’s conveniences and inconveniences. A pure
devotee knows that there is no need to ask the Absolute Truth for any
material necessities. Therefore, while informing the Supreme Lord about
their distress in being attacked by Vrtrasura, the demigods apologized
for offering prayers for their safety. A neophyte devotee, of course, ap-
proaches the Supreme Lord for relief from distress or poverty, or for
speculative knowledge of the Lord. Bhagavad-gita (7.16) mentions four
kinds of pious men who begin devotional service to the Lord —one who is
distressed (arta), one in need of money (artharthi), one who is inquisi-
tive (jijfidsu) and one who is searching for the Absolute Truth (jrdni). A
pure devotee, however, knows that since the Lord is omnipresent and
omniscient, there is no need to offer prayers or worship Him for one’s
personal benefit. A pure devotee always engages in the service of the
Lord without demanding anything. The Lord is present everywhere and
knows the necessities of His devotees; consequently there is no need to
disturb Him by asking Him for material benefits.

TEXT 43
FA UT AT ATTRA AMA WHI AITATSAST
Revaadanieaetarana at aaaaraea:
TEE

ata eva svayam tad upakalpayasmakam bhagavatah parama-guros tava
carana-sata-palasac-chayam vividha-vrjina-samsara-
parisramopasamanim upasrtandm vayam yat-kamenopasaditah.

ata eva—therefore; svayam—Yourself; tat—that; upakalpaya—
please arrange; asmaékam—of us; bhagavatah—of the Supreme Per-
sonality of Godhead; parama-guroh—the supreme spiritual master;
tava—of You; carana—of the feet; sata-palasat—like lotus flowers with
hundreds of petals; chayam—the shade; vividha—various; vrjina—
with dangerous positions; samsdra—of this conditioned life;
parisrama—the pain; upasamanim—relieving; upasrtanam—the devo-
tees who have taken shelter at Your lotus feet; vayam—we; yat—for
