The Demigods' Prayers - The Glory of Bhārata-varṣa and Divine Shelter

This article presents a thematic survey of The Demigods' prayers, philosophical statements, and appeals for protection. It organizes the profound teachings found in the Vaniquotes category Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Verses Spoken by the Demigods.

The Demigods (devas), headed by Indra, Candra, Varuṇa, and others, are the appointed administrators of the universal affairs. They manage the natural forces—rain, wind, sun, and fire—under the supervision of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Throughout the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the demigods appear collectively to offer prayers to Lord Viṣṇu during times of distress caused by powerful demons. Their verses provide a unique perspective: they are beings of immense power who simultaneouSupreme Lordy realize their utter dependence on the Lord. Their most significant contribution is their glorification of birth in Bhārata-varṣa (Earth), where they reveal that spiritual perfection is more easily attained by humans on Earth than by gods in heaven.

Glory of Bhārata-varṣa (Earth vs. Heaven)

In the Fifth Canto, the demigods observe the fortunate souls living in Bhārata-varṣa (Earth). They express regret that their own position in the heavenly planets, filled with excessive sense gratification, is a hindrance to spiritual progress. They declare that a short life on Earth is superior to a long life in heaven.

Superiority of Short Life

The demigods explain that life in the heavenly planets involves millions of years of enjoyment, but it eventually ends in death and rebirth. In contrast, a short life on Earth allows one to achieve full Kṛṣṇa consciousness and end the cycle of birth and death forever.

  • "A short life in the land of Bhārata-varṣa is preferable to a life achieved in Brahmaloka for millions and billions of years because even if one is elevated to Brahmaloka, he must return to repeated birth and death."
  • "Although life in Bhārata-varṣa, in a lower planetary system, is very short, one who lives there can elevate himself to full Kṛṣṇa consciousness and achieve the highest perfection, even in this short life."
  • "We are now living in the heavenly planets, undoubtedly as a result of our having performed ritualistic ceremonies, pious activities and yajñas and having studied the Vedas."
  • "However, our lives here will one day be finished. We pray that at that time, if any merit remains from our pious activities, we may again take birth in Bhārata-varṣa as human beings able to remember the lotus feet of the Lord."
  • "Since the human form of life is the sublime position for spiritual realization, all the demigods in heaven speak in this way: How wonderful it is for these human beings to have been born in the land of Bhārata-varṣa."
  • "The Lord is so kind that He personally comes to the land of Bhārata-varṣa and expands the good fortune of its people."

Trap of Sense Gratification

The demigods admit that their opulent environment makes it difficult to remember the Lord, whereas Earth offers the right balance for devotional service.

  • "Here we are certainly very engaged in material sense gratification, and therefore we can hardly remember the lotus feet of Lord Nārāyaṇa. Indeed, because of our excessive sense gratification, we have almost forgotten His lotus feet."
  • "An intelligent person does not take interest in a place, even in the topmost planetary system, if the pure Ganges of topics concerning the Supreme Lord's activities does not flow there."
  • "Bhārata-varṣa offers the proper land and circumstances in which to execute devotional service, which can free one from the results of jñāna and karma."
  • "We demigods can only aspire to achieve human births in Bhārata-varṣa to execute devotional service, but these human beings are already engaged there."

Flow of Topic-Ganges

The demigods emphasize that any place devoid of the river of Kṛṣṇa's glories is undesirable, regardless of its opulence.

  • "An intelligent person does not take interest in a place, even in the topmost planetary system, if the pure Ganges of topics concerning the Supreme Lord's activities does not flow there."
  • "Persons who, because of their serious attitude, attain the stage of enlightened devotional service achieve the complete meaning of renunciation and knowledge and attain the Vaikunthaloka in the spiritual sky simply by drinking the nectar of Your topics."

Demigods' Prayers in Times of Crisis (Demoniac Disturbances)

The demigods frequently approach Lord Brahmā and Lord Viṣṇu when terrorized by demons like Hiraṇyakaśipu and Hiraṇyākṣa. Their prayers describe the suffocating atmosphere created by demoniac austerities and the disruption of universal order.

Terror of Hiraṇyakaśipu

When Hiraṇyakaśipu performs severe austerities, the heat generated from his head scorches the entire universe. The demigods flee their planets and plead for relief.

  • "O lord of the demigods, O master of the universe, because of the fire emanating from Hiraṇyakaśipu's head as a result of his severe austerities, we have become so disturbed that we could not stay in our planets but have come to you."
  • "Scorched and extremely disturbed because of Hiraṇyakaśipu's severe penances, all the demigods left the planets where they reside and went to the planet of Lord Brahmā, where they informed the creator."
  • "The demigods said: Dear Lord, You are the refuge of all moving and nonmoving living entities. We feel all living entities to be suffocating, their breathing processes choked up."
  • "O great person, chief of the universe, if you think it proper, kindly stop these disturbances, meant to destroy everything, before all your obedient subjects are annihilated."
  • "Hiraṇyakaśipu has undertaken a most severe type of austerity. Although his plan is not unknown to you, kindly listen as we submit his intentions."

Hiraṇyakaśipu's Ambitions

The demigods reveal Hiraṇyakaśipu's specific political ambition to Lord Brahmā: to usurp the post of the creator himself.

  • "O lord, we have heard from reliable sources that in order to obtain your post, Hiraṇyakaśipu is now engaged in severe austerity. You are the master of the three worlds. Please, without delay, take whatever steps you deem appropriate."
  • "Brahminical culture and the protection of cows can be increasingly glorified, and thus all kinds of material happiness, opulence and good fortune will automatically increase. But unfortunately, if Hiraṇyakaśipu occupies your seat, everything will be lost."

The Cause of Cosmic Darkness

Even before the demons were born, the demigods pray to Brahmā about the cosmic darkness caused by the demoniac embryo.

  • "As fuel overloads a fire, so the embryo created by the semen of Kaśyapa in the womb of Diti has caused complete darkness throughout the universe."
  • "The demigods prayed to Brahmā: Please look upon us mercifully, for we have fallen into a miserable condition; because of the darkness, all our work has been suspended."
  • "O Lord Brahmā, your position within this universe is certainly most auspicious for everyone, especially the cows and brāhmaṇas."

Prayers to Lord Varāha

When the earth is submerged in the ocean and Hiraṇyākṣa is terrorizing the universe, the demigods pray to Lord Varāha (the Boar incarnation) to Supreme Lorday the demon.

  • "The demigods addressed the Lord: All obeisances unto You! You are the enjoyer of all sacrifices, and You have assumed the form of a boar, in pure goodness, for the purpose of maintaining the world."
  • "The demigods addressed the Lord: Fortunately for us, this demon (Hiraṇyākṣa), who was a torment to the worlds, has been Supreme Lordain by You, and we too, O Lord, are now at ease, in devotion to Your lotus feet."

Supremacy of Lord Viṣṇu (Controlled by the Rope)

Despite their status as controllers, the demigods acknowledge their total dependence on the Supreme Lord. They use the analogy of bulls controlled by a rope to describe how they are bound by the Lord's Vedic injunctions and the time factor.

The Rope Analogy

The demigods explain that they cannot move independently and that all their power is derived from the Lord.

  • "All the living entities within the universe are conducted by the Vedic directions, as a bull is directed by the rope attached to its nose."
  • "All of the great demigods, beginning with Brahmā, are embodied living entities. Struggling painfully with one another under the strict control of Your time factor, they are just like bulls dragged by ropes tied through their pierced noses."
  • "No one can violate the rules laid down in the Vedic literatures. To the chief person, who has contributed the Vedas, we offer our respect."
  • "O Lord, You are the supreme creator of this universe and the ultimate controller of all moving and nonmoving living entities. You are Hṛṣīkeśa, the supreme controller of all sensory activity."

Source of Everything

The demigods recognize the Lord as the source of the creation, maintenance, and destruction, and the origin of their own positions.

  • "O Lord, You have no source or superior. You have impregnated the external energy with the semen of the total living entities, yet You are unborn."
  • "You are the original personal founder of all the demigods and the orders of different gradations, yet You are the oldest and are unchanged."
  • "O lord, all these planets exist within your self, and all the living entities are generated from you. Therefore you are the cause of this universe, and anyone who meditates upon you without deviation attains devotional service."
  • "The Supreme Personality of Godhead is all-pervading, but He is also manifested in different types of bodies which arise from a combination of material nature, time, desires and occupational duties."

Prayers Regarding Creation (Mahat-Tattva)

They specifically pray to the Lord as the source of the mahat-tattva and the subsequent elements, asking for direction in their service of creation.

  • "My dear Lord, the original puruṣa-avatāra, Mahā-Viṣṇu, acquires His creative potency from You. Thus with infallible energy He impregnates material nature, producing the mahat-tattva."
  • "Then the mahat-tattva, the amalgamated material energy, endowed with the potency of the Lord, produces from itself the primeval golden egg of the universe, which is covered by various layers of material elements."
  • "O Supreme Self, please give us, who are created in the beginning from the mahat-tattva, the total cosmic energy, Your kind directions on how we shall act."
  • "Kindly award us Your perfect knowledge and potency so that we can render You service in the different departments of subsequent creation."
  • "Please enlighten us by which we can offer You all enjoyable grains and commodities so that both we and all living entities in this world can maintain ourselves without disturbance and can easily accumulate the necessities of life both for You and for ourselves."
  • "O original source of strength and scientific knowledge, all obeisances unto you! You have accepted the differentiated mode of passion from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. With the help of external energy you are born of the unmanifested source."

Demigods Pray to Kṛṣṇa in Dvārakā

In the Tenth Canto, the demigods visit Lord Kṛṣṇa in Dvārakā. They marvel at His ability to remain detached while living with 16,000 queens, acknowledging Him as the master of māyā rather than its victim.

Unaffected by Māyā

The demigods glorify Kṛṣṇa's position as the supreme enjoyer who is never contaminated by material qualities.

  • "My Lord, You are living with sixteen thousand exquisitely beautiful, aristocratic wives. By their irresistible coy and smiling glances and by their lovely arching eyebrows, they send You messages of eager conjugal love. But they are completely unable to disturb the mind and senses of Your Lordship."
  • "O unconquerable Lord, You engage Your illusory energy, composed of three modes, to unleash, maintain and devastate the inconceivable manifest cosmos, all within Your own self."
  • "As the supreme superintendent of māyā, You appear to be situated in the interaction of the modes of nature; however, You are never affected by material activities."
  • "O almighty Lord, You are so kind to Your servants that You have accepted the withered flower garland that we have placed on Your chest. Since the goddess of fortune makes her abode on Your transcendental chest, she will undoubtedly become agitated, like a jealous co-wife, upon seeing our offering also dwelling there."

The Original Person

They identify Kṛṣṇa as the original Person who rests in the water of devastation, now manifest to protect the world.

  • "At that time, all the inhabitants of the higher planets, represented by such liberated souls as Sanaka, were meditating on You by philosophical speculation. You are therefore the original person, and You rest in the water of devastation."
  • "O Lord, You assume incarnations for the creation, maintenance and dissolution of the cosmic manifestation, and therefore we all take shelter of Your lotus feet because they always award remembrance and courage to Your devotees."
  • "The demigods said: Dear Lord, formerly, when there was a devastation, You conserved all the different energies of material manifestation."

Limitations and Obstacles

The demigods reveal their limitations in two significant contexts: their inability to grant liberation (proven in the story of Mucukunda) and their tendency to place obstacles in the path of those seeking liberation.

Unable to Grant Liberation

When King Mucukunda helps the demigods defeat the demons, they offer him any benediction he desires—except liberation.

  • "The demigods said: Let Mahārāja Nimi live without a material body. Let him live in a spiritual body as a personal associate of the Suprmee Personality of Godhead, and, according to his desire, let him be manifest or unmanifest to common materially embodied people."
  • "All good fortune to you! Now please choose a benediction from us—anything but liberation, since only the infallible Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu, can bestow that."
  • "We have never experienced such a thing. Since You are the ultimate shelter of all surrendered souls, we have therefore approached You; kindly save us from this danger."

Creating Stumbling Blocks

The demigods admit that they fear losing a subject to the spiritual world, so they try to distract the aspiring devotee.

  • "This man taking sannyāsa is going to surpass us and go back home, back to Godhead. Thus thinking, the demigods create stumbling blocks on the path of the sannyāsī by appearing before him in the shape of his former wife or other women and attractive objects. But the sannyāsī should pay the demigods and their manifestations no heed."

The Shelter of the Lotus Feet

Ultimately, the demigods conclude that the only safety in the material world lies in the shelter of the Lord's lotus feet. They pray for the vision to see the Lord, which is often blocked by material attachment.

The Only Refuge

  • "Therefore they take shelter of the shade of Your lotus feet, which are full of knowledge, and we also thus take shelter of them."
  • "O Lord, persons who are entangled by undesirable eagerness for the temporary body and kinsmen, and who are bound by thoughts of 'mine' and 'I,' are unable to see Your lotus feet, although Your lotus feet are situated within their own bodies."
  • "O Supreme Lord, offensive persons whose internal vision has been too affected by external materialistic activities cannot see Your lotus feet, but they are seen by Your pure devotees, whose one and only aim is to transcendentally enjoy Your activities."
  • "The lotus feet of the Lord are by themselves the shelter of all places of pilgrimage. The great clear-minded sages, carried by the wings of the Vedas, always search after the nest of Your lotuSupreme Lordike face."
  • "Simply by hearing about Your lotus feet with eagerness and devotion and by meditating upon them within the heart, one at once becomes enlightened with knowledge, and on the strength of detachment one becomes pacified."

Worshiping God's Lotus Feet

The demigods describe how different classes of transcendentalists meditate on the Lord's feet.

  • "Great sages, desiring the highest benefit in life, always cherish Your lotus feet within their hearts, which are melted by love for You."
  • "Similarly, Your self-controlled devotees, desiring to cross beyond the material kingdom of heaven to achieve opulence equal to Yours, worship Your lotus feet in the morning, at noon and in the evening."
  • "Those about to offer oblations into the fire of sacrifice in accordance with the Ṛg, Yajur and Sāma Vedas meditate on Your lotus feet."
  • "Similarly, the practitioners of transcendental yoga meditate upon Your lotus feet, hoping for knowledge about Your divine mystic potency, and the most elevated pure devotees perfectly worship Your lotus feet, desiring to cross beyond Your illusory potency."
  • "Some of them surrender to Your lotus feet at every step by taking shelter of the best of rivers (the Ganges), which can deliver one from all sinful reactions."
  • "The demigods began to speak: Our dear Lord, advanced mystic yogīs, striving for liberation from the severe bondage of material work, meditate with great devotion upon Your lotus feet within their hearts."

Glorification of Trivikrama

They specifically glorify the Lord's strides as Vāmana (Trivikrama) which purified the universe with the Ganges water.

  • "O omnipotent Lord, in Your incarnation as Trivikrama, You raised Your leg like a flagpole to break the shell of the universe, allowing the holy Ganges to flow down, like a banner of victory, in three branches throughout the three planetary systems."
  • "By three mighty steps of Your lotus feet, Your Lordship captured Bali Mahārāja, along with his universal kingdom."
  • "Your lotus feet inspire fear in the demons by driving them down to hell and fearlessness among Your devotees by elevating them to the perfection of heavenly life."

Relief from Material Miseries

They pray that the Lord's feet will burn away their material desires and suffering.

  • "O Father, O Lord, O Personality of Godhead, the living entities in the material world can never have any happiness because they are overwhelmed by the three kinds of miseries."
  • "The devotee simply discharges devotional service and thus feels no such pain."
  • "All the sages under that shelter throw off all material miseries. We therefore offer our respectful obeisances unto Your lotus feet."
  • "Others, who are pacified by means of transcendental self-realization and have conquered over the modes of nature by dint of strong power and knowledge, also enter into You, but for them there is much pain."
  • "O merciful Lord, may Your lotus feet always act as a blazing fire to consume the inauspicious desires within our hearts."
  • "The Supreme Personality of Godhead fulfills the material desires of a devotee who approaches Him with such motives, but He does not bestow benedictions upon the devotee that will cause him to demand more benedictions again."
  • "However, the Lord willingly gives the devotee shelter at His own lotus feet, even though such a person does not aspire for it, and that shelter satisfies all his desires. That is the Supreme Personality's special mercy."

Role of Demigods and Worship

The demigods explain their own function in the cosmic scheme and how worship of them relates to the Supreme Lord.

Worship of Demigods vs. Viṣṇu

They clarify that while many worship them, they are merely officials of the Lord, and ultimate success comes from Him.

  • "In India (Bhārata-varṣa), there are many worshipers of the demigods, the various officials appointed by the Supreme Lord, such as Indra, Candra and Sūrya, all of whom are worshiped differently."
  • "They offer the demigods their oblations, considering the demigods part and parcel of the whole, the Supreme Lord. Therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead accepts these offerings and gradually raises the worshipers to the real standard of devotional service by fulfilling their desires and aspirations."
  • "Lord offers the worshipers the benedictions they desire even if they worship only part of His transcendental body because the He is complete."
  • "They must have executed pious acts of austerity in the past, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself must have been pleased with them. Otherwise, how could they engage in devotional service in so many ways?"

Result of Perfect Yoga

They note that true success in yoga leads to the Lord's mercy.

  • "There is no defeat in this material world for persons who control the mind and senses by controlling the breathing process and who are therefore experienced, mature mystics. This is because by such perfection in yoga they have attained your mercy."
  • "O greatest of all, those whose consciousness is polluted by illusion cannot purify themselves merely by ordinary worship, study of the Vedas, charity, austerity and ritual activities."
  • "Our Lord, those pure souls who have developed a powerful transcendental faith in Your glories achieve a purified state of existence that can never be attained by those lacking such faith."

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

This article is a thematic compilation of the teachings presented in the Vaniquotes category Bhagavatam Verses Spoken by the Demigods. We invite you to visit the link to read the complete collection of verses presented in alphabetical order.


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