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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
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