विष्णवे क्ष्मां प्रदास्यन्तमुशना असुरेश्वरम् । जानंश्चिकीर्षितं विष्णो: शिष्यं प्राह विदां वर: ॥ २९ ॥
viṣṇave kṣmāṁ pradāsyantam uśanā asureśvaram jānaṁś cikīrṣitaṁ viṣṇoḥ śiṣyaṁ prāha vidāṁ varaḥ
Knowing Lord Viṣṇu’s intention, Śukrācārya, foremost among the learned, at once spoke to his disciple—the lord of the asuras—who was about to offer the earth to Vāmanadeva.
This verse sets the scene: Śukrācārya, foreseeing Viṣṇu’s intention and Bali’s imminent gift, prepares to instruct his disciple—showing that even learned counsel may arise from concern over losing worldly power.
Because Śukrācārya understood that Vāmana was Viṣṇu and that the request would lead to Bali surrendering everything; he therefore intervened to stop or redirect Bali’s donation.
Before major commitments, seek wise counsel—but also discern whether advice is aligned with lasting spiritual good or merely protecting temporary interests.