198 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 8, Ch. 23

PURPORT

When Vamanadeva appeared before Bali Maharaja, Bali Maharaja im-
mediately wanted to offer Him respectful obeisances, but he was unable
to do so because of the presence of Sukracarya and other demoniac asso-
ciates. The Lord is so merciful, however, that although Bali Maharaja did
not actually offer obeisances but only endeavored to do so within his
mind, the Supreme Personality of Godhead blessed him with more mercy
than even the demigods could ever expect. As confirmed in Bhagavad-
gita (2.40), svalpam apy asya dharmasya tréyate mahato bhayat:
‘Even a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most
dangerous type of fear.” The Supreme Personality of Godhead is known
as bhdva-grahi jandrdana because He takes only the essence of a de-
votee’s attitude. If a devotee sincerely surrenders, the Lord, as the
Supersoul in everyone’s heart, immediately understands this. Thus even
though, externally, a devotee may not render full service, if he is inter-
nally sincere and serious the Lord welcomes his service nonetheless.
Thus the Lord is known as bhdva-grahi janadrdana because He takes the
essence of one’s devotional mentality.

TEXT 3

NTR TTT
RIF sara AA AA Aa: |
fata gad dat aa: aaa: 1 211

Sri-Suka uvaca
ity uktva harim anatya
brahmaénam sabhavam tatah
vivesa sutalarh prito
balir muktah sahdsuraih

Sri-Sukah uvdca—Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said; iti uktva—saying this;
harim—unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari; adnatya—offer-
ing obeisances; brahmanam—unto Lord Brahma; sa-bhavam—with
Lord Siva; tatah—thereafter; vivesa—he entered; sutalam—the planet
Sutala; pritah—being fully satisfied; balih—Bali Maharaja; muktah—
thus released; saha asuraih—with his asura associates.
