(5) Believe and Persevere

His Divine Grace Om Vishnupad
Srila Bhakti Nirmal Acharya Maharaj
Uluberia, 1 April 2019, part 5
Translated from Bengali

We must always think about our spiritual practice.

You can understand it yourselves. There are some ill-minded people here in Uluberia who pursue their own interests. They do not think about anything except their own interests, and they also come to the temple. But, look, what is my fault? My Gurupadpadma has kept me in this position...

Anyway, always remember these things. Have patience and everything will be set right. Always stay in one line, always live with Gurupadpadma's blessings and association. You will know no want. You can see Srila Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj's example – he left Sri Chaitanya Math empty-handed, taking only the clothes he was wearing, but his temple is so big now. ISKCON's founder Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj was also a householder, he lived with his family, but in his old age he went to America and slowly, through chanting kirtan, people started coming one by one – in the end, he preached all over the world so widely, sowing the seeds of devotion everywhere. You must always think about this. If you have Sriman Nityananda Prabhu's mercy, Sri Gaura-hari's mercy, Sri Gurupadpadma's mercy, Srimati Radharani's mercy, then you have nothing to worry about. Your service to Lord Krishna will run properly. There is no need to be upset or to suffer.

You can remember Bali Maharaj. Bali Maharaj ruled over the earth, hell and heaven, and when Lord Vamandev came to him, he took everything from him. When the Lord takes something, does He take it away to enjoy Himself? He does not. He takes everything and then gives it back to His devotees, for their service. He arranges everything for His devotees' service. You should think about it. Lord Vamanadev gave Sutalpuri (an area in Vaikuntha where Prahlad Maharaj lives) to Bali Maharaj.

Lord Vamanadev asked Bali Maharaj for three steps of land, but with His two steps He had taken everything (hell and heaven, and His body occupied the earth). The Lord had taken the entire universe consisting of fourteen planetary systems (Bhur, Bhuvar, Svar, Maha, Jana, Tapa, Satya; Atal, Vital, Sutal, Talatal, Mahatal, Rasatal, Patal). Where was He to place His third step?

'What now, Bali? You must keep your word! You have promised to give Me three steps of land, so you must give it to Me!'

Bali Maharaj was perplexed – he had given away everything he had, so he did not know what else he could give.

'Prabhu, I do not have anything left. You have taken everything!' he said to Lord Vamandev.

'No, no, think carefully. Are you sure you have nothing else?'

'No, there is nothing else.' Then, Bali Maharaj's wise wife, Vindhyavali, whispered to him, 'Prabhu keeps asking you – can you not understand anything? You have given Him everything, but have you given Him yourself? Have you given yourself for the service of the Lord?'

Then, Bali Maharaj realised, 'Oh, you are right! I have not.'

'This is what you must give. The Lord keeps asking you for it.'

Then, Bali Maharaj fell in a prostrate obeisance at the Lord's holy feet.

সর্ব্বস্ব তোমার, চরণে সঁপিয়া,
পড়েছি তোমার ঘরে ।

sarvasva tomara, charane sampiya,
padechhi tomara ghare

‘Submitting everything at Your feet, I have come to Your home.’

(Saranagati, Srila Bhaktivinod Thakur)

Bali Maharaj said, 'My Lord, I have given everything to You. Please do as You wish now. I am surrendering everything to You. Whatever I had, I am giving everything to You.' After that, one more leg appeared from Lord Vamandev's navel, and He placed that leg on Bali Maharaj's head. This is how the Lord took His third step. Then, the Lord said,

'Bali, you have kept your word and made Me very happy. Now we must do the opposite.'

'What do You mean, Prabhu?'

'So far I have been a recipient and you have been a giver, but now I shall become a giver, and you will be a recipient. Tell Me, what boon would you like to receive?'

'Prabhu, I do not want anything. You have mercifully kept Your foot on my head, that is all I could dream about. I do not wish anything else.'

'No, you must take something from Me. Let Me give you Sutalpuri, Vaikuntha. Go there and stay with your dear grandson Prahlad Maharaj.'

In this way, the Lord arranges everything for His own service.

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