vijñāya śakra-kṛtam akramam ādi-devaḥ

prāha prahasya gata-vismaya ejamānān

mā bhair vibho madana māruta deva-vadhvo

gṛhṇīta no balim aśūnyam imaḿ kurudhvam

vijnaya -- understanding perfectly; sakra -- by Indra; kritam -- committed; akramam -- the offense; adi-devah -- the original Personality of Godhead; praha -- He spoke; prahasya -- laughing; gata-vismayah -- free from pride; ejamanan -- to those who were trembling; ma bhaih -- please have no fear; vibho -- O mighty one; madana -- Cupid; maruta -- O god of the wind; deva-vadhvah -- O wives of the demigods; grihnita -- please accept; nah -- from Us; balim -- these gifts; asunyam -- not empty; imam -- this (asrama); kurudhvam -- please make.


Texto

The primeval Lord, understanding the offense committed by Indra, did not become proud. Instead He spoke laughingly as follows to Cupid and his followers, who were trembling before Him: "Do not fear, O mighty Madana, O wind-god and wives of the demigods. Rather, please accept these gifts I am offering you and kindly sanctify My asrama by your presence."

Significado

The word gata-vismayah, or "free from false pride," is very significant. If one becomes proud by performing severe penances, such penances are considered material. One should not think, "I am a great, austere personality." Sri Nara-Narayana could immediately understand the foolishness of Indra, and thus He was amused by the whole situation. Cupid and the heavenly women, understanding their great offense, were trembling before Nara-Narayana in fear of receiving a powerful curse. But the Lord, exhibiting most sublime saintly behavior, reassured them by saying, ma bhaih -- "Don't worry about it" -- and actually offered them nice prasadam and articles of worship. "If you do not give Me the opportunity to act as host to the demigods and other respectable personalities," He said, "what will be the use of My asrama? My asrama will be void without the opportunity to receive respectable personalities such as you."

Similarly, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is establishing beautiful centers in all the major cities of the world. In some of these centers, such as those in Los Angeles, Bombay, London, Paris and Melbourne, the Society has established very gorgeous preaching asramas. But the Vaishnavas who live in these beautiful buildings feel that the buildings are void if guests do not come to hear about Krishna and chant His holy name. Thus, one may establish a beautiful asrama not for one's personal sense gratification but to execute Krishna consciousness peacefully and encourage others to take to Krishna consciousness also.