Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 24
Yudhiṣṭhira’s Rājasūya Resolve and the Slaying of Jarāsandha
बलेर्नु श्रूयते कीर्तिर्वितता दिक्ष्वकल्मषा । ऐश्वर्याद् भ्रंशितस्यापि विप्रव्याजेन विष्णुना ॥ २४ ॥ श्रियं जिहीर्षतेन्द्रस्य विष्णवे द्विजरूपिणे । जानन्नपि महीं प्रादाद् वार्यमाणोऽपि दैत्यराट् ॥ २५ ॥
baler nu śrūyate kīrtir vitatā dikṣv akalmaṣā aiśvaryād bhraṁśitasyāpi vipra-vyājena viṣṇunā
Indeed, the spotless glories of Bali Mahārāja are heard throughout the world. Lord Viṣṇu, wishing to recover Indra’s opulence from Bali, appeared before him in the guise of a brāhmaṇa and made him fall from his powerful position. Though aware of the ruse and forbidden by his guru, Bali, king of the demons, still gave Viṣṇu the whole earth in charity.
FAQs
This verse says Bali’s fame is spotless and spreads everywhere, because even when his kingdom was taken by Lord Viṣṇu (as a brāhmaṇa), his greatness remained renowned.
It recalls the Vāmana līlā, where Viṣṇu appeared as a brāhmaṇa boy to request three steps of land from Bali and thus reclaim cosmic order.
Real honor is character and devotion, not possessions—loss of status need not diminish one’s integrity when actions are aligned with dharma and surrender to God.