Supreme Benediction of Lord Shiva

2016-12-22 Srimad Bhagavatam 10.88.09-16 - Supreme Benediction of Lord Shiva (download mp3) by Haridas Thakur Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty www.iskcondesiretree.com SB 10.88.9sa yada vitathodyogo nirvinnah syad dhanehayamat-paraih krta-maitrasya karisye mad-anugraham Translation: When he becomes frustrated in his attempts to make money and instead befriends My devotees, I bestow My special mercy upon him. SB 10.88.10tad brahma paramam suksmam cin-matram sad anantakamvijñayatmataya dhirah samsarat parimucyate Translation: A person who has thus become sober fully realizes the Absolute as the highest truth, the most subtle and perfect manifestation of spirit, the transcendental existence without end. In this way realizing that the Supreme Truth is the foundation of his own existence, he is freed from the cycle of material life. SB 10.88.11ato mam su-duraradhyam hitvanyan bhajate janahtatas ta asu-tosebhyo labdha-rajya-sriyoddhatahmattah pramatta vara-dan vismayanty avajanate Translation: Because I am difficult to worship, people generally avoid Me and instead worship other deities, who are quickly satisfied. When people receive kingly opulences from these deities, they become arrogant, intoxicated with pride and neglectful of their duties. They dare to offend even the demigods who have bestowed benedictions upon them. SB 10.88.12sri-suka uvacasapa-prasadayor isa brahma-visnu-sivadayahsadyah sapa-prasado ’nga sivo brahma na cacyutah Translation: Sukadeva Gosvami said: Lord Brahma, Lord Visnu, Lord Siva and others are able to curse or bless one. Lord Siva and Lord Brahma are very quick to curse or bestow benedictions, my dear King, but the infallible Supreme Lord is not. SB 10.88.13atra codaharantimam itihasam puratanamvrkasuraya giriso varam dattvapa sankatam Translation: In this connection, an ancient historical account is related concerning how the Lord of Kailasa Mountain was put into danger by offering a choice of benedictions to the demon Vrka. SB 10.88.14vrko namasurah putrah sakuneh pathi naradamdrstvasu-tosam papraccha devesu trisu durmatih Translation: The demon named Vrka, a son of Sakuni’s, once met Narada on the road. The wicked fellow asked him which of the three chief gods could be pleased most quickly. SB 10.88.15sa aha devam girisam upadhavasu siddhyasiyo ’lpabhyam guna-dosabhyam asu tusyati kupyati Translation: Narada told him: Worship Lord Siva and you will soon achieve success. He quickly becomes pleased by seeing his worshiper’s slightest good qualities — and quickly angered by seeing his slightest fault. SB 10.88.16dasasya-banayos tustah stuvator vandinor ivaaisvaryam atulam dattva tata apa su-sankatam Translation: He became pleased with ten-headed Ravana, and also with Bana, when they each chanted his glories, like bards in a royal court. Lord Siva then bestowed unprecedented power upon each of them, but in both cases he was consequently beset with great difficulty. Purport:  Ravana worshiped Lord Siva to gain power and then misused that power to uproot the lord’s residence, sacred Kailasa-parvata. On Banasura’s request, Lord Siva agreed to personally guard Bana’s capital, and later he had to fight for Bana against Sri Krsna and His sons.