Page 1 - june 2018
P. 1
On the Peaks of
Devotion
BHASKAR RAMAN
We requested Pujya Guruji Swami Tejomayananda to share
his favourite çloka from the treasure-house of Srimad Bhagavatam.
The verse he gave us is depicted on the cover. “It is my favourite
çloka, because it describes the yearning and devotion of the demon
Vritrasura for the Lord,” explained Pujya Guruji.
Engaged in battle with Indra and about to be killed, the asura
states fearlessly that he did not desire anything, “… I do not desire
to be master of the powers of mystic yoga, nor do I want liberation
if I have to give up Thy lotus feet.” Further, in an attempt to express
his intense longing for the Lord, the demon uses three striking
illustrations. In this perceptive article, Bhaskar Raman delves into
the depth and beauty of Vritrasura’s words.
Editor
he devotional outpouring of feet of Sri Hari. It is explained
Tthe demon Vritrasura in the that in his earlier life, he was
sixth canto of Srimad Bhagavatam King Chitraketu, who had
has a unique intensity that practised many austerities and
touches the heart. We may well cultivated deep devotion to the
wonder how an asura could Lord and attained the status of
have such devotion to the lotus the chief of Vidyadharas (celes-
A true devotee never demands
In loving memory of anything from the Lord except
Rukmini Venkatraman more and more love for Him.
Besant Nagar, Chennai. Swami Chinmayananda
Tapovan Prasad 19 June 2018