Shloka 29
Bali Mahārāja’s Surrender, Prahlāda’s Praise, and the Lord’s Mercy
Sutala and Future Indrahood
क्षीणरिक्थश्च्युत: स्थानात् क्षिप्तो बद्धश्च शत्रुभि: । ज्ञातिभिश्च परित्यक्तो यातनामनुयापित: ॥ २९ ॥ गुरुणा भर्त्सित: शप्तो जहौ सत्यं न सुव्रत: । छलैरुक्तो मया धर्मो नायं त्यजति सत्यवाक् ॥ ३० ॥
kṣīṇa-rikthaś cyutaḥ sthānāt kṣipto baddhaś ca śatrubhiḥ jñātibhiś ca parityakto yātanām anuyāpitaḥ
Though stripped of wealth, fallen from his post, defeated and bound by enemies, scorned and abandoned by kinsmen, made to suffer, and even rebuked and cursed by his spiritual master, Bali Mahārāja—steadfast in his vow—did not abandon truthfulness. I spoke of dharma with guile, yet he, true to his word, did not forsake dharma.
Bali Mahārāja passed the severe test put before him by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is further proof of the Lord’s mercy toward His devotee. The Supreme Personality of Godhead sometimes puts a devotee to severe tests that are almost unbearable. One could hardly even live under the conditions forced upon Bali Mahārāja. That Bali Mahārāja endured all these severe tests and austerities is the mercy of the Supreme Lord. The Lord certainly appreciates the devotee’s forbearance, and it is recorded for the future glorification of the devotee. This was not an ordinary test. As described in this verse, hardly anyone could survive such a test, but for the future glorification of Bali Mahārāja, one of the mahājanas, the Supreme Personality of Godhead not only tested him but also gave him the strength to tolerate such adversity. The Lord is so kind to His devotee that when severely testing him the Lord gives him the necessary strength to be tolerant and continue to remain a glorious devotee.
FAQs
This verse describes how a person can lose wealth, position, and support, and be forced into repeated suffering—highlighting the instability of worldly security and the working of karma.
Śukadeva Gosvāmī narrates these conditions while explaining the consequences and reversals that occur in the struggle between opposing parties in the nectar episode’s aftermath.
It encourages detachment from external status, preparedness for reversals, and taking refuge in dharma and devotion rather than relying solely on social support or power.