Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 31
Vāmanadeva Praises Bali; the Measure of Three Steps; Śukrācārya Warns Against the Gift
प्रतिश्रुतं त्वयैतस्मै यदनर्थमजानता । न साधु मन्ये दैत्यानां महानुपगतोऽनय: ॥ ३१ ॥
pratiśrutaṁ tvayaitasmai yad anartham ajānatā na sādhu manye daityānāṁ mahān upagato ’nayaḥ
അറിയാതെ നീ അവന് ഭൂമി നൽകാമെന്ന് നൽകിയ വാഗ്ദാനം അനർത്ഥം വരുത്തും. അത് നല്ലതെന്ന് ഞാൻ കരുതുന്നില്ല; ദൈത്യർക്കു വലിയ ദുരിതം ഉണ്ടാകും.
FAQs
This verse warns that a promise made in ignorance can become harmful (anartha) and lead to great adversity, even for one’s entire community.
In the Vamana episode, Bali had promised charity to the dwarf brāhmaṇa (Vāmana). Virocana criticizes the vow as dangerous and inauspicious for the Daityas, thinking Bali did not grasp its true implications.
Make commitments thoughtfully—seek clarity before promising—yet also recognize that true integrity is tested when keeping one’s word becomes difficult.