Shloka 28
Brahmā Worships Vāmana; the Demons Attack; Bali is Bound and Questioned About the Third Step
तं बद्धं वारुणै: पाशैर्भगवानाह वामन: । नष्टश्रियं स्थिरप्रज्ञमुदारयशसं नृप ॥ २८ ॥
taṁ baddhaṁ vāruṇaiḥ pāśair bhagavān āha vāmanaḥ naṣṭa-śriyaṁ sthira-prajñam udāra-yaśasaṁ nṛpa
O King, the Supreme Lord Vāmanadeva then spoke to Bali Mahārāja, whom He had bound with Varuṇa’s ropes—his bodily luster was gone, yet his resolve remained steady, and his fame and generosity were renowned.
When one is bereft of all his possessions, he is certainly reduced in bodily luster. But although Bali Mahārāja had lost everything, he was fixed in his determination to satisfy Vāmanadeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In Bhagavad-gītā, such a person is called sthita-prajña. A pure devotee is never deviated from the service of the Lord, despite all difficulties and impediments offered by the illusory energy. Generally men who have wealth and opulence are famous, but Bali Mahārāja became famous for all time by being deprived of all his possessions. This is the special mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead toward His devotees. The Lord says, yasyāham anugṛhṇāmi hariṣye tad-dhanaṁ śanaiḥ. As the first installment of His special favor, the Lord takes away all the possessions of His devotee. A devotee, however, is never disturbed by such a loss. He continues his service, and the Lord amply rewards him, beyond the expectations of any common man.
FAQs
This verse highlights that even when Bali lost his external splendor and was bound, he remained sthira-prajña—steady-minded—and continued to be celebrated for noble fame.
Because his resolve in truthfulness and surrender did not break under loss and humiliation; his inner devotion and integrity stayed firm despite external bondage.
When circumstances strip away status or comfort, hold to dharma and spiritual principles; inner steadiness and integrity are more lasting than temporary success.