Shloka 30
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 may be stripped of wealth, position, and support, and still be forced to endure hardship—highlighting the fragile nature of worldly security.
Śukadeva speaks generally here of a person reduced to misery by reversals of fortune; the emphasis is on the moral and spiritual lesson rather than naming the individual in the verse itself.
Do not build identity solely on job, money, or social approval; cultivate inner steadiness through dharma, prayer, and remembrance of the Lord when circumstances turn hostile.