Shloka 5
Bali Mahārāja Upholds Truth; Vāmana Reveals the Universal Form and Takes the Two Steps
नाहं बिभेमि निरयान्नाधन्यादसुखार्णवात् । न स्थानच्यवनान्मृत्योर्यथा विप्रप्रलम्भनात् ॥ ५ ॥
nāhaṁ bibhemi nirayān nādhanyād asukhārṇavāt na sthāna-cyavanān mṛtyor yathā vipra-pralambhanāt
നരകത്തെയും ദാരിദ്ര്യത്തെയും ദുഃഖസമുദ്രത്തെയും സ്ഥാനച്യുതിയെയും മരണത്തെയും ഞാൻ അത്ര ഭയപ്പെടുന്നില്ല; ബ്രാഹ്മണനെ വഞ്ചിക്കുന്നതിനെപ്പോലെ അല്ല.
FAQs
This verse teaches that deceiving a brāhmaṇa—especially after giving one’s word—is a grave adharma, feared even more than hell, poverty, loss of status, or death.
In the Vāmana episode, Bali had promised charity to a brāhmaṇa (Vāmana). Though warned to withdraw, Bali upholds dharma and truthfulness, considering breaking his promise a worse fate than any worldly loss.
Keep your word, avoid exploiting or misleading sincere spiritual people, and treat integrity as higher than personal gain, reputation, or comfort.