TEXT 15
tam atmano nugrahartham
pritya matsya-vapur-dharam
ajanan raksanarthaya
sapharyah sa mano dadhe
SYNONYMS
tamunto the fish; atmanahpersonal; anugraha-arthamto show favor; prityavery much pleased; matsya-vapuh-dharamthe Supreme Personality of Godhead, who had assumed the form of a fish; ajananwithout knowledge of this; raksana-arthayajust to give protection; sapharyahof the fish; sahthe King; manahmind; dadhedecided.
TRANSLATION
To please himself, King Satyavrata, not knowing that the fish was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, decided with great pleasure to give the fish protection.
PURPORT
Here is an example of giving service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead even without knowledge. Such service is called ajnata-sukrti. King Satyavrata wanted to show his own mercy, not knowing that the fish was Lord Visnu. By such unknowing devotional service, one is favored by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Service rendered to the Supreme Lord, knowingly or unknowingly, never goes in vain.

Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/sb/8/24/15

Previous: SB 8.24.14     Next: SB 8.24.16

If you Love Me Distribute My Books -- Srila Prabhupada