Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvitiya Skandha, Shloka 18
Bhagavān’s Avatāras, Their Protections (Poṣaṇa), and the Limits of Knowing Him
नार्थो बलेरयमुरुक्रमपादशौच- माप: शिखाधृतवतो विबुधाधिपत्यम् । यो वै प्रतिश्रुतमृते न चिकीर्षदन्य- दात्मानमङ्ग मनसा हरयेऽभिमेने ॥ १८ ॥
nārtho baler ayam urukrama-pāda-śaucam āpaḥ śikhā-dhṛtavato vibudhādhipatyam yo vai pratiśrutam ṛte na cikīrṣad anyad ātmānam aṅga manasā haraye ’bhimene
ബലി മഹാരാജാവ് ഉരുക്രമന്റെ പദപദ്മങ്ങൾ കഴുകിയ തീർത്ഥജലം ശിരസ്സിൽ ധരിച്ചു. ഗുരു വിലക്കിയിട്ടും തന്റെ പ്രതിജ്ഞയൊഴികെ മറ്റൊന്നും ചിന്തിച്ചില്ല. പ്രഭുവിന്റെ മൂന്നാം പടിയുടെ അളവ് നിറയ്ക്കാൻ തന്റെ ശരീരത്തെയും ഹരിക്കു സമർപ്പിച്ചു; ബലത്തോടെ ജയിച്ച സ്വർഗ്ഗാധിപത്യവും അവനു തുച്ഛമായിരുന്നു।
Bali Mahārāja, by gaining the transcendental favor of the Lord in exchange for his great material sacrifice, was able to have a place in Vaikuṇṭhaloka with equal or greater facilities of eternal enjoyment; therefore he was not at all the loser by sacrificing the kingdom of heaven, which he had possessed by his material strength. In other words, when the Lord snatches away one’s hard-earned material possessions and favors one with His personal transcendental service for eternal life, bliss and knowledge, such taking away by the Lord should be considered a special favor upon such a pure devotee.
FAQs
This verse says Bali did not see heavenly rulership as the true reward; keeping his vow, he offered even himself in his heart to Lord Hari, valuing surrender over power.
Śukadeva highlights Bali’s unwavering truthfulness and bhakti: despite losing everything, Bali did not seek another benefit and internally dedicated himself to the Lord.
Keep promises even under pressure, practice generosity without bargaining for results, and place spiritual integrity above status, recognition, or material gain.