SB 8.21.33

SB 8.21.33

Devanagari

वृथा मनोरथस्तस्य दूर: स्वर्ग: पतत्यध: । प्रतिश्रुतस्यादानेन योऽर्थिनं विप्रलम्भते ॥ ३३ ॥

Verse text

vṛthā manorathas tasya dūraḥ svargaḥ pataty adhaḥ pratiśrutasyādānena yo ’rthinaṁ vipralambhate

Synonyms

vṛthā without any good result ; manorathaḥ mental concoction ; tasya of him ; dūraḥ far away ; svargaḥ elevation to the higher planetary system ; patati falls down ; adhaḥ to a hellish condition of life ; pratiśrutasya things promised ; adānena being unable to give ; yaḥ anyone who ; arthinam a beggar ; vipralambhate cheats .

Translation

Far from being elevated to the heavenly planets or fulfilling one’s desire, one who does not properly give a beggar what he has promised falls down to a hellish condition of life.

Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

Far from being elevated to the heavenly planets or fulfilling one's desire, one who does not properly give a beggar what he has promised falls down to a hellish condition of life. The meaning is clear. However, seeing the results of the Lord’s words later, this verse has another meaning. Since you are my devotee, your desire to take the position of Indra is useless, since Svarga falls much below Vaikuṇṭha. Though now you will be situated in Sutala, you are more elevated that being in Svarga, since the pleasure of Sutala is not available in Svarga. You will especially (vi) and excellently (pra) attain (lambhate) me, the possessor of all four purusārthas (arthinam), by completely (ā) giving (danena) what you promised, since you offered everything-- body and soul--to me. This means that you will attain me as your door keeper because of your complete surrender.