FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.9.34

नानाकर्मवितानेन प्रजा बह्वी: सिसृक्षत: । नात्मावसीदत्यस्मिंस्ते वर्षीयान्मदनुग्रह: ॥ ३४ ॥
nānā-karma-vitānena
[naanaa-karma-vitaanena]
prajā bahvīḥ sisṛkṣataḥ
[prajaa bahveeh sisrikshatah]
nātmāvasīdaty asmiṁs te
[naatmaavaseedaty asmims te]
varṣīyān mad-anugrahaḥ
[varsheeyaan mad-anugrahah]
nānā-karma — varieties of service vitānena — by expansion of prajāḥ — population bahvīḥ — innumerable sisṛkṣataḥ — desiring to increase na — never ātmā — self avasīdati — will be bereaved asmin — in the matter te — of you varṣīyān — always increasing mat — My anugrahaḥ — causeless mercy.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
nānā-karma-vitānena
nānā-karma
varieties of service
vitānena
by expansion of
prajā bahvīḥ sisṛkṣataḥ
prajāḥ
population
bahvīḥ
innumerable
sisṛkṣataḥ
desiring to increase
nātmāvasīdaty asmiṁs te
na
never
ātmā
self
avasīdati
will be bereaved
asmin
in the matter
te
of you
varṣīyān mad-anugrahaḥ
varṣīyān
always increasing
mat
My
anugrahaḥ
causeless mercy.
Since you have desired to increase the population innumerably and expand your varieties of service, you shall never be deprived in this matter because My causeless mercy upon you will always increase for all time.

A pure devotee of the Lord, being cognizant of the facts of the particular time, object and circumstances, always desires to expand the number of devotees of the Lord in various ways. Such expansions of transcendental service may appear to be material to the materialist, but factually they are expansions of the causeless mercy of the Lord towards the devotee. Plans for such activities may appear to be material activities, but they are different in potency, being engaged in the satisfaction of the transcendental senses of the Supreme.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
In desiring to create many offspring while engaging in various actions, your mind will not become degraded. Rather, my mercy to you will increase Having taught you about jñāna, bhakti and rāsa, I give you my mercy, not just now, but for all time. Varṣīyān means greater.
The verse models compassion as a practical job, not a feeling. Real mercy is taking the trouble to carry someone toward what is actually good for them, even when it is uncomfortable. Its centre of gravity is pure devotee.
Reflection Questions
  • What 'comfortable' kindness do you offer that you suspect is not actually mercy?
  • What would real mercy look like for the person in front of you today?
📝 My note

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