Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 10
Bali Mahārāja Upholds Truth; Vāmana Reveals the Universal Form and Takes the Two Steps
मनस्विन: कारुणिकस्य शोभनं यदर्थिकामोपनयेन दुर्गति: । कुत: पुनर्ब्रह्मविदां भवादृशां ततो वटोरस्य ददामि वाञ्छितम् ॥ १० ॥
manasvinaḥ kāruṇikasya śobhanaṁ yad arthi-kāmopanayena durgatiḥ kutaḥ punar brahma-vidāṁ bhavādṛśāṁ tato vaṭor asya dadāmi vāñchitam
Par la charité, l’homme magnanime et miséricordieux devient plus encore de bon augure, surtout lorsqu’il donne à un connaisseur du Brahman tel que vous. Ainsi, j’accorderai à ce jeune brahmacārī tout ce qu’il désire de moi.
If one accepts a poverty-stricken position because of losing money in business, gambling, prostitution or intoxication, no one will praise him, but if one becomes poverty-stricken by giving all of his possessions in charity, he becomes adored all over the world. Aside from this, if a benevolent and merciful person exhibits his pride in becoming poverty-stricken by giving his possessions in charity for good causes, his poverty is a welcome and auspicious sign of a great personality. Bali Mahārāja decided that even though he would become poverty-stricken by giving everything to Vāmanadeva, this is what he would prefer.
FAQs
This verse praises the glory of a noble, compassionate person who fulfills a petitioner’s request even at the risk of hardship, and presents such giving as true dharma.
Bali declares that generosity is virtuous even when costly, and that it is all the more fitting when dealing with exalted spiritual persons—therefore he resolves to grant the brahmacārī’s desire.
Practice principled generosity—help others sincerely, keep your promises, and place dharma above fear of personal inconvenience, while staying responsible within your means.