Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 3
Bali Mahārāja’s Surrender, Prahlāda’s Praise, and the Lord’s Mercy
Sutala and Future Indrahood
बिभेमि नाहं निरयात् पदच्युतो न पाशबन्धाद् व्यसनाद् दुरत्ययात् । नैवार्थकृच्छ्राद् भवतो विनिग्रहा- दसाधुवादाद् भृशमुद्विजे यथा ॥ ३ ॥
bibhemi nāhaṁ nirayāt pada-cyuto na pāśa-bandhād vyasanād duratyayāt naivārtha-kṛcchrād bhavato vinigrahād asādhu-vādād bhṛśam udvije yathā
私は地位を失うことも、地獄に堕ちることも、ヴァルナの縄で縛られることも、越え難い災厄も、貧困の苦しみも、さらにはあなたの罰さえも、それほど恐れません。私が最も恐れるのは、悪評とそしりです。
Although Bali Mahārāja fully surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he could not tolerate being defamed for cheating a brāhmaṇa-brahmacārī. Being quite alert in regard to his reputation, he thought deeply about how to prevent being defamed. The Lord, therefore, gave him the good counsel to prevent defamation by offering his head. A Vaiṣṇava does not fear any punishment. Nārāyaṇa-parāḥ sarve na kutaścana bibhyati ( Bhāg. 6.17.28 ).
FAQs
This verse shows that a devotee may not fear hell, bondage, or punishment, but fears losing the status and conduct of a true sādhu—being separated from devotional integrity.
After being bound and chastised in the Vāmana-līlā, Bali declares that material suffering does not frighten him; what pains him is the possibility of being judged as irreligious or undevoted.
Prioritize character and sincere devotion over social image and comfort—accept hardship without compromising dharma, honesty, and spiritual principles.