Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 5

Bali Liberated, Prahlāda Blessed, and Vāmana Accepted as Universal Protector

Devanagari script

लब्धप्रसादं निर्मुक्तं पौत्रं वंशधरं बलिम् । निशाम्य भक्तिप्रवण: प्रह्लाद इदमब्रवीत् ॥ ५ ॥

Transliteration

labdha-prasādaṁ nirmuktaṁ pautraṁ vaṁśa-dharaṁ balim niśāmya bhakti-pravaṇaḥ prahrāda idam abravīt

Translation

When Prahlāda Mahārāja heard how Bali Mahārāja, his grandson and descendant, had been released from bondage and had achieved the benediction of the Lord, he spoke as follows in a tone of greatly ecstatic devotion.

Synonyms

• लब्ध-प्रसादम्: having obtained grace/favor
• लब्ध-प्रसादम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: लब्ध (कृदन्त, √लभ्) + प्रसाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (प्रसादः यस्य सः) ; कृदन्तः भूतकृदन्त/क्त (past passive participle)

• निर्मुक्तम्: released, freed
• निर्मुक्तम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निर्मुक्त (कृदन्त, √मुच्)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कृदन्तः क्त (past passive participle)

• पौत्रम्: grandson
• पौत्रम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पौत्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• वंश-धरम्: upholder of the dynasty
• वंश-धरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वंश (प्रातिपदिक) + धर (कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिक, √धृ)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः (वंशस्य धरः)

• बलिम्: Bali
• बलिम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• निशाम्य: having seen/observed
• निशाम्य: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: निशाम्य (कृदन्त, √निशम्/√शम् with नि-)
• Form: अव्ययभावे कृदन्तः; क्त्वान्त/ल्यप् (gerund/absolutive)

• भक्ति-प्रवणः: inclined to devotion
• भक्ति-प्रवणः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रवण (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः तत्पुरुषः (भक्तौ प्रवणः)

• प्रह्लादः: Prahlāda
• प्रह्लादः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्रह्लाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• इदम्: this (speech)
• इदम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: इदम् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• अब्रवीत्: said/spoke
• अब्रवीत्: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √ब्रू (धातु)
• Form: लङ्-लकार (Imperfect/past), प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन; परस्मैपद

Characters & Entities

• Bali Maharaja
• Prahlada Maharaja

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about receiving the Lord’s mercy (prasāda)?

This verse highlights that Bali became “labdha-prasāda”—one who gained the Lord’s favor—showing that sincere surrender and devotion attract divine grace and lead to liberation from bondage.

Why did Prahlada Maharaja speak after seeing Bali Maharaja freed?

Prahlāda, being naturally devoted, was moved upon seeing Bali—his grandson and dynasty’s protector—released and blessed by the Lord, and thus he began to instruct and glorify the devotional conclusion of Bali’s surrender.

How can I apply Bali Maharaja’s example in modern life?

Practice integrity and surrender: accept accountability, offer the results of your work to God, and remain steady in devotion even when circumstances seem humiliating—trusting that true freedom comes from divine grace.