Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 18
Bali Liberated, Prahlāda Blessed, and Vāmana Accepted as Universal Protector
श्रीशुक उवाच प्रतिनन्द्य हरेराज्ञामुशना भगवानिति । यज्ञच्छिद्रं समाधत्त बलेर्विप्रर्षिभि: सह ॥ १८ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca pratinandya harer ājñām uśanā bhagavān iti yajña-cchidraṁ samādhatta baler viprarṣibhiḥ saha
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: Thus the mighty Uśanā (Śukrācārya) accepted Hari’s order with full reverence, and together with the foremost brāhmaṇa sages he began to remedy the deficiencies in Bali Mahārāja’s sacrifices.
FAQs
This verse states that when a defect (yajña-chidra) arises, qualified brāhmaṇas and sages perform proper atonement rites to rectify it—here done for Bali’s sacrifice under Hari’s sanction.
In the narrative of Bali and Vāmana, Uśanā ultimately acknowledges Viṣṇu’s supreme will; therefore he consents and proceeds with the corrective ritual measures for the sacrifice.
When a sincere spiritual effort contains flaws, one should not abandon dharma; instead, seek guidance from qualified teachers, accept responsibility, and correct the error through proper, humble remedial action.