Shloka 26
Rāhu, Eclipses, Antarikṣa, and the Seven Subterranean Heavens
Bila-svarga
तस्य महानुभावस्यानुपथममृजितकषाय: को वास्मद्विध: परिहीणभगवदनुग्रह उपजिगमिषतीति ॥ २६ ॥
tasya mahānubhāvasyānupatham amṛjita-kaṣāyaḥ ko vāsmad-vidhaḥ parihīṇa-bhagavad-anugraha upajigamiṣatīti.
ബലി മഹാരാജ പറഞ്ഞു: ഞങ്ങളുപോലുള്ളവർ—ഇനിയും ഭോഗത്തിൽ ആസക്തരായി, പ്രകൃതിഗുണങ്ങളാൽ മലിനരായി, ഭഗവാന്റെ കൃപയില്ലാത്തവർ—പ്രഭുവിന്റെ ഉന്നത ഭക്തനായ പ്രഹ്ലാദ മഹാരാജന്റെ പരമപഥം പിന്തുടരാൻ കഴിയില്ല.
It is said that for spiritual realization one must follow great personalities like Lord Brahmā, Devarṣi Nārada, Lord Śiva and Prahlāda Mahārāja. The path of bhakti is not at all difficult if we follow in the footsteps of previous ācāryas and authorities, but those who are too materially contaminated by the modes of material nature cannot follow them. Although Bali Mahārāja was actually following the path of his grandfather, because of his great humility he thought that he was not. It is characteristic of advanced Vaiṣṇavas following the principles of bhakti that they think themselves ordinary human beings. This is not an artificial exhibition of humility; a Vaiṣṇava sincerely thinks this way and therefore never admits his exalted position.
FAQs
This verse stresses that without Bhagavān’s anugraha (mercy) and without inner purification, one cannot truly follow the path of great devotees.
He highlights the gulf between ordinary conditioned souls—still affected by impurities—and the exalted mahā-bhāgavata, teaching that progress comes through humility and divine grace.
Cultivate humility, seek purification through sincere sādhana (hearing, chanting, service), and depend on the Lord’s mercy rather than pride in personal ability.