Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 12
Bali Mahārāja Upholds Truth; Vāmana Reveals the Universal Form and Takes the Two Steps
यद्यप्यसावधर्मेण मां बध्नीयादनागसम् । तथाप्येनं न हिंसिष्ये भीतं ब्रह्मतनुं रिपुम् ॥ १२ ॥
yadyapy asāv adharmeṇa māṁ badhnīyād anāgasam tathāpy enaṁ na hiṁsiṣye bhītaṁ brahma-tanuṁ ripum
Although He is Viṣṇu Himself, out of fear He has covered Himself with the form of a brāhmaṇa and come to me to beg. Therefore, because He has assumed a brāhmaṇa body, even if He irreligiously arrests me or even kills me, I shall not retaliate, though He is my enemy.
If Lord Viṣṇu as He is had come to Bali Mahārāja and asked him to do something, Bali Mahārāja certainly would not have refused His request. But to enjoy a little humor between Himself and His devotee, the Lord covered Himself as a brāhmaṇa-brahmacārī and thus came to Bali Mahārāja to beg for only three feet of land.
FAQs
This verse shows Bali Maharaja choosing dharma over retaliation: even if bound unjustly, he refuses to harm a fearful opponent, emphasizing restraint and righteousness.
He cites two reasons: the enemy is afraid and is in a brāhmaṇa-bodied form; therefore, harming him would violate proper dharma and honorable conduct.
Practice principled self-control: do not retaliate when wronged, especially against the vulnerable or those deserving respect; respond with integrity rather than anger.