Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 29
Bali Mahārāja’s Empowerment and Conquest of Indra’s City
Prelude to Vāmana’s Petition
ओजस्विनं बलिं जेतुं न समर्थोऽस्ति कश्चन । भवद्विधो भवान्वापि वर्जयित्वेश्वरं हरिम् । विजेष्यति न कोऽप्येनं ब्रह्मतेज:समेधितम् । नास्य शक्त: पुर: स्थातुं कृतान्तस्य यथा जना: ॥ २९ ॥
ojasvinaṁ baliṁ jetuṁ na samartho ’sti kaścana bhavad-vidho bhavān vāpi varjayitveśvaraṁ harim
Tak seorang pun sanggup menaklukkan Bali yang begitu perkasa. Orang sepertimu, bahkan engkau sendiri, tanpa Tuhan Yang Mahatinggi, Śrī Hari, takkan dapat mengalahkannya. Ia kini diperkokoh oleh brahma-tejas; sebagaimana tiada yang dapat berdiri di hadapan Yamarāja, demikian pula tiada yang dapat berdiri di hadapan Bali Mahārāja.
FAQs
This verse states that no one can conquer Bali unless one has the shelter of Lord Hari; mere strength or heroism is insufficient without divine support.
Because Bali is “brahma-tejaḥ-samedhita”—fortified by brahminical/spiritual potency—making him formidable like an unavoidable force, compared here to death.
Rely not only on personal power or strategy; cultivate spiritual shelter—devotion, prayer, and dharmic guidance—especially when facing overwhelming challenges.