Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 12
Bali Mahārāja Upholds Truth; Vāmana Reveals the Universal Form and Takes the Two Steps
यद्यप्यसावधर्मेण मां बध्नीयादनागसम् । तथाप्येनं न हिंसिष्ये भीतं ब्रह्मतनुं रिपुम् ॥ १२ ॥
yadyapy asāv adharmeṇa māṁ badhnīyād anāgasam tathāpy enaṁ na hiṁsiṣye bhītaṁ brahma-tanuṁ ripum
यद्यप्यसौ विष्णुरेव, भीत्या ब्राह्मणतनुं धृत्वा याचकत्वेन मम समीपमागतः। तस्मात् ब्राह्मणरूपं धृतवानिति, स चेत् अधर्मेण मां बध्नीयाद् वा हन्याद् वा, तथापि अहं भीतं रिपुमपि न हिंसिष्ये॥
If Lord Viṣṇu as He is had come to Bali Mahārāja and asked him to do something, Bali Mahārāja certainly would not have refused His request. But to enjoy a little humor between Himself and His devotee, the Lord covered Himself as a brāhmaṇa-brahmacārī and thus came to Bali Mahārāja to beg for only three feet of land.
FAQs
This verse shows Bali Maharaja choosing dharma over retaliation: even if bound unjustly, he refuses to harm a fearful opponent, emphasizing restraint and righteousness.
He cites two reasons: the enemy is afraid and is in a brāhmaṇa-bodied form; therefore, harming him would violate proper dharma and honorable conduct.
Practice principled self-control: do not retaliate when wronged, especially against the vulnerable or those deserving respect; respond with integrity rather than anger.