Shloka 8
Bali Mahārāja Upholds Truth; Vāmana Reveals the Universal Form and Takes the Two Steps
यैरियं बुभुजे ब्रह्मन्दैत्येन्द्रैरनिवर्तिभि: । तेषां कालोऽग्रसील्लोकान् न यशोऽधिगतं भुवि ॥ ८ ॥
yair iyaṁ bubhuje brahman daityendrair anivartibhiḥ teṣāṁ kālo ’grasīl lokān na yaśo ’dhigataṁ bhuvi
Wahai brāhmaṇa terbaik, raja-raja raksasa yang tidak pernah gentar berperang pernah menikmati dunia ini, namun pada waktunya Kāla menelan segala alam mereka. Di bumi yang tinggal hanyalah nama baik mereka; maka hendaklah seseorang mengejar reputasi mulia melebihi segala-galanya.
In this regard, Cāṇakya Paṇḍita ( Cāṇakya-śloka 34) also says, āyuṣaḥ kṣaṇa eko ’pi na labhya svarṇa-koṭibhiḥ. The duration of one’s life is extremely short, but if in that short lifetime one can do something that enhances his good reputation, that may continue to exist for many millions of years. Bali Mahārāja therefore decided not to follow his spiritual master’s instruction that he deny his promise to Vāmanadeva; instead, he decided to give the land according to the promise and be everlastingly celebrated as one of the twelve mahājanas ( balir vaiyāsakir vayam ).
FAQs
This verse states that even unconquerable Daitya rulers who once enjoyed the earth were swallowed by Time along with their domains, and their fame did not endure—showing that Kāla overcomes all material supremacy.
Śukadeva speaks to King Parīkṣit respectfully by highlighting his brahminical qualification—his spiritual inquiry and readiness to hear transcendental truth—while teaching detachment from temporary worldly greatness.
Use it to reduce obsession with status and legacy: invest energy in lasting spiritual practices—bhakti, humility, service, and remembrance of the Lord—rather than achievements that Time will erase.