Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 19
Bali Mahārāja Upholds Truth; Vāmana Reveals the Universal Form and Takes the Two Steps
तदासुरेन्द्रं दिवि देवतागणा गन्धर्वविद्याधरसिद्धचारणा: । तत्कर्म सर्वेऽपि गृणन्त आर्जवं प्रसूनवर्षैर्ववृषुर्मुदान्विता: ॥ १९ ॥
tadāsurendraṁ divi devatā-gaṇā gandharva-vidyādhara-siddha-cāraṇāḥ tat karma sarve ’pi gṛṇanta ārjavaṁ prasūna-varṣair vavṛṣur mudānvitāḥ
Then the residents of the higher worlds—the devas, Gandharvas, Vidyādharas, Siddhas, and Cāraṇas—delighted by Bali Mahārāja’s simple, guileless deed, praised his virtues and showered him with countless flowers.
Ārjavam — simplicity or freedom from duplicity — is a qualification of a brāhmaṇa and a Vaiṣṇava. A Vaiṣṇava automatically acquires all the qualities of a brāhmaṇa.
FAQs
Because Bali’s action is marked by ārjava—straightforward integrity—so even celestial beings acknowledge and glorify his honest conduct by showering flowers.
Ārjava refers to sincerity and honesty without crookedness—acting plainly and truthfully, in a way that can be openly praised as righteous.
Practice transparent, truthful conduct—keep promises, act without deceit, and let your actions be so clean that even opponents could respect your integrity.