Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 7
Bali Mahārāja’s Surrender, Prahlāda’s Praise, and the Lord’s Mercy
Sutala and Future Indrahood
यस्मिन् वैरानुबन्धेन व्यूढेन विबुधेतरा: । बहवो लेभिरे सिद्धिं यामु हैकान्तयोगिन: ॥ ६ ॥ तेनाहं निगृहीतोऽस्मि भवता भूरिकर्मणा । बद्धश्च वारुणै: पाशैर्नातिव्रीडे न च व्यथे ॥ ७ ॥
yasmin vairānubandhena vyūḍhena vibudhetarāḥ bahavo lebhire siddhiṁ yām u haikānta-yoginaḥ
Tuhan yang walaupun dimusuhi oleh para daitya tetap mengurniakan mereka siddhi, menyempurnakan banyak tujuan dengan satu perbuatan. Maka walaupun aku ditundukkan oleh hukuman-Mu yang pelbagai, terikat oleh jerat Varuṇa aku tidak berasa malu dan tidak pula berdukacita.
Bali Mahārāja appreciated the Lord’s mercy not only upon him but upon many other demons. Because this mercy is liberally distributed, the Supreme Lord is called all-merciful. Bali Mahārāja was indeed a fully surrendered devotee, but even some demons who were not at all devotees but merely enemies of the Lord attained the same exalted position achieved by many mystic yogīs. Thus Bali Mahārāja could understand that the Lord had some hidden purpose in punishing him. Consequently he was neither unhappy nor ashamed because of the awkward position in which he had been put by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
In this verse, Bali Maharaja says that though he is subdued and bound, he feels neither shame nor distress—teaching equanimity and inner steadiness amid reversals.
Because Bali accepts the outcome of battle and the superior power of his opponent without ego; he views the situation with composure rather than wounded pride.
When facing failure, criticism, or loss, practice humility and emotional balance—focus on duty and spiritual grounding instead of reacting from pride or resentment.