Shloka 24
श्रीभगवानुवाच ब्रह्मन् यमनुगृह्णामि तद्विशो विधुनोम्यहम् । यन्मद: पुरुष: स्तब्धो लोकं मां चावमन्यते ॥ २४ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca brahman yam anugṛhṇāmi tad-viśo vidhunomy aham yan-madaḥ puruṣaḥ stabdho lokaṁ māṁ cāvamanyate
The Supreme Lord said: My dear Brahmā, when I show someone special mercy, I first strip away his material opulence; for intoxicated by wealth, a foolish man becomes arrogant, scorning the three worlds and even defying Me.
A civilization that has become godless because of material advancement in opulence is extremely dangerous. Because of great opulence, a materialist becomes so proud that he has no regard for anyone and even refuses to accept the authority of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The result of such a mentality is certainly very dangerous. To show special favor, the Lord sometimes makes an example of someone like Bali Mahārāja, who was now bereft of all his possessions.
FAQs
This verse explains that when the Lord especially favors a person, He may remove material opulence because wealth can intoxicate the mind and produce pride that leads one to disregard others and even disrespect God.
In the Vāmana–Bali narrative, the Lord highlights how prosperity can create arrogance; by curbing false pride, the Lord guides the soul toward genuine surrender and devotion rather than ego-based power.
Treat success as stewardship, not identity—practice gratitude, charity, and humility, and regularly remember God so that prosperity does not become arrogance or spiritual forgetfulness.