Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 40
Vāmanadeva Praises Bali; the Measure of Three Steps; Śukrācārya Warns Against the Gift
तद् यथा वृक्ष उन्मूल: शुष्यत्युद्वर्ततेऽचिरात् । एवं नष्टानृत: सद्य आत्मा शुष्येन्न संशय: ॥ ४० ॥
tad yathā vṛkṣa unmūlaḥ śuṣyaty udvartate ’cirāt evaṁ naṣṭānṛtaḥ sadya ātmā śuṣyen na saṁśayaḥ
De même qu’un arbre déraciné tombe et se dessèche bientôt, de même, lorsque l’« irréel » qui soutient le corps est arraché, le corps se dessèche aussitôt, sans aucun doute.
In this regard, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī says:
FAQs
This verse teaches that truthfulness is like the root of a tree—when it is destroyed by falsehood, one’s inner life and spiritual vitality quickly wither.
In the context of Bali’s promise to Vāmana, the Bhagavatam emphasizes that breaking truth and vows ruins a person from within, whereas integrity sustains dharma even under pressure.
Guard your commitments and speak truthfully—because consistent honesty preserves inner strength, clarity, and devotion, while habitual deception erodes character and spiritual progress.