Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 14

Bali Mahārāja Upholds Truth; Vāmana Reveals the Universal Form and Takes the Two Steps

Devanagari script

श्रीशुक उवाच एवमश्रद्धितं शिष्यमनादेशकरं गुरु: । शशाप दैवप्रहित: सत्यसन्धं मनस्विनम् ॥ १४ ॥

Transliteration

śrī-śuka uvāca evam aśraddhitaṁ śiṣyam anādeśakaraṁ guruḥ śaśāpa daiva-prahitaḥ satya-sandhaṁ manasvinam

Translation

श्रीशुक उवाच—एवं गुरोर्वचनमश्रद्धाय शिष्यं तमनादेशकरं सत्यसन्धं मनस्विनं बलिं महान्तं दैवप्रहितः शुक्राचार्यः शशाप ॥

Synonyms

• श्री-शुकः: Śrī Śuka
• श्री-शुकः: Karta (कर्ता/वक्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुक (प्रातिपदिक) + श्री (उपपद/विशेषण-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन; कर्मधारय-समास (श्रीमान् शुकः)

• उवाच: said
• उवाच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• एवम्: thus
• एवम्: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एवम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb of manner)

• अश्रद्धितम्: disrespectful / lacking faith
• अश्रद्धितम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अ-श्रद्धित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; श्रद्धा + क्त)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त (past passive participle)

• शिष्यम्: disciple
• शिष्यम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शिष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन

• अनादेश-करम्: one who disobeys orders
• अनादेश-करम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अनादेश (प्रातिपदिक) + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (2nd/Accusative), एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (अनादेशस्य करः = who does not follow instruction)

• गुरुः: the teacher
• गुरुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: गुरु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति (1st/Nominative), एकवचन

• शशाप: cursed
• शशाप: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: शप् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथम-पुरुष (3rd person), एकवचन

• दैव-प्रहितः: sent by divine fate
• दैव-प्रहितः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दैव (प्रातिपदिक) + प्रहित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; प्र-हि + क्त)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; तृतीया/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषार्थ (दैवेन/दैवस्य प्रहितः = sent by fate/divine)

• सत्य-सन्धम्: true to his promise
• सत्य-सन्धम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सत्य (प्रातिपदिक) + सन्ध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (सत्ये सन्धः यस्य = true to his vow)

• मनस्विनम्: high-minded / resolute
• मनस्विनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनस्विन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Purport

The difference between the behavior of Bali Mahārāja and that of his spiritual master, Śukrācārya, was that Bali Mahārāja had already developed love of Godhead, whereas Śukrācārya, being merely a priest of routine rituals, had not. Thus Śukrācārya was never inspired by the Supreme Personality of Godhead to develop in devotional service. As stated by the Lord Himself in Bhagavad-gītā (10.10) :

Characters & Entities

• Śukadeva Gosvāmī
• Guru (spiritual master)
• Śiṣya (disciple)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about disobeying the guru?

This verse states that when a disciple becomes faithless and does not follow the guru’s instruction, serious consequences can follow—even to the point of a curse—showing the gravity of guru-ājñā (the spiritual master’s order).

Why did the guru curse his disciple in Bhagavatam Canto 8 Chapter 20?

Because the disciple had become aśraddhita (lacking proper faith) and anādeśa-kara (disobedient to the guru’s command). The verse also notes the event as daiva-prahita—moved by providence within the unfolding narrative.

How can I apply the teaching of shraddha and obedience in modern spiritual life?

Cultivate steady śraddhā through regular sādhana and seek clarity on instructions; then follow them consistently, avoiding casual neglect of commitments made to one’s teacher, practice, or vows.