Shloka 14
Bali Liberated, Prahlāda Blessed, and Vāmana Accepted as Universal Protector
ब्रह्मन् सन्तनु शिष्यस्य कर्मच्छिद्रं वितन्वत: । यत् तत् कर्मसु वैषम्यं ब्रह्मदृष्टं समं भवेत् ॥ १४ ॥
brahman santanu śiṣyasya karma-cchidraṁ vitanvataḥ yat tat karmasu vaiṣamyaṁ brahma-dṛṣṭaṁ samaṁ bhavet
ఓ శ్రేష్ఠ బ్రాహ్మణుడా శుక్రాచార్యా! యజ్ఞకర్మలో నిమగ్నమైన నీ శిష్యుడు బలి మహారాజులో నీవు చూస్తున్న దోషం లేదా వ్యత్యాసం ఏమిటో దయచేసి వివరించు. అర్హ బ్రాహ్మణుల సమక్షంలో విచారణ జరిగితే ఆ కర్మసంబంధ వైషమ్యం సమమై, దోషం నివృత్తి అవుతుంది.
When Bali Mahārāja and Prahlāda Mahārāja had departed for the planet Sutala, Lord Viṣṇu asked Śukrācārya what the fault was in Bali Mahārāja for which Śukrācārya had cursed him. It might be argued that since Bali Mahārāja had now left the scene, how could his faults be judged? In reply to this, Lord Viṣṇu informed Śukrācārya that there was no need for Bali Mahārāja’s presence, for his faults and discrepancies could be nullified if judged before the brāhmaṇas. As will be seen in the next verse, Bali Mahārāja had no faults; Śukrācārya had unnecessarily cursed him. Nonetheless, this was better for Bali Mahārāja. Being cursed by Śukrācārya, Bali Mahārāja was deprived of all his possessions, with the result that the Supreme Personality of Godhead favored him for his strong faith in devotional service. Of course, a devotee is not required to engage in fruitive activities. As stated in the śāstra, sarvārhaṇam acyutejyā ( Bhāg. 4.31.14 ). By worshiping Acyuta, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one satisfies everyone. Because Bali Mahārāja had satisfied the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there were no discrepancies in his performance of sacrifices.
FAQs
This verse teaches that what looks like inconsistency or partiality in actions should be understood through Brahman-realized vision as ultimately equal—beyond superficial judgment.
The address emphasizes a dharmic, reflective inquiry: the listener is urged to judge actions with higher spiritual discernment rather than only external appearances.
Before criticizing a teacher, leader, or elder, examine the larger purpose and context; cultivate steady judgment that looks beyond surface “fault-finding” into intention and higher principles.