Text 42] The Dynasty of Arnsuman 35
yo devair arthito daityan
avadhid yudhi durjayah
muhirtam ayur jrdtvaitya
sva-puram sandadhe manah
yah—King Khatvanga who; devaih—by the demigods; arthitah—
being requested; daityan—the demons; avadhit—killed; yudhi—in a
fight; durjayah—very fierce; muhirtam—for a second only; dyuh—
duration of life; jidtva—knowing; etya—approached; sva-puram—his
own abode; sandadhe—fixed; manah—the mind.
TRANSLATION
King Khatvanga was unconquerable in any fight. Requested by
the demigods to join them in fighting the demons, he won victory,
and the demigods, being very pleased, wanted to give him a
benediction. The King inquired from them about the duration of
his life and was informed that he had only one moment more.
Thus he immediately left his palace and went to his own residence,
where he engaged his mind fully on the lotus feet of the Lord.
PURPORT
The example of Maharaja Khatvanga in performing devotional service
is brilliant. Maharaja Khatvanga engaged himself for only a moment in
devotional service to the Lord, but he was promoted back to Godhead.
Therefore, if one practices devotional service from the beginning of his
life, surely he will return home, back to Godhead, without a doubt
(asarnsaya).
In Bhagavad-gita the word asarnsaya is used to describe the devotee.
There the Lord Himself gives this instruction:
mayy asakta-manah partha
yogam yufijan mad-dsrayah
asamsayam samagram mam
yatha jnasyasi tac chrnu
‘‘Now hear, O son of Prtha [Arjuna], how by practicing yoga in full con-
sciousness of Me, with mind attached to Me, you can know Me in full,
free from doubt.” (Bg. 7.1)
