Shloka 2
Bali Mahārāja Upholds Truth; Vāmana Reveals the Universal Form and Takes the Two Steps
श्रीबलिरुवाच सत्यं भगवता प्रोक्तं धर्मोऽयं गृहमेधिनाम् । अर्थं कामं यशो वृत्तिं यो न बाधेत कर्हिचित् ॥ २ ॥
śrī-balir uvāca satyaṁ bhagavatā proktaṁ dharmo ’yaṁ gṛhamedhinām arthaṁ kāmaṁ yaśo vṛttiṁ yo na bādheta karhicit
บลีมหาราชกล่าวว่า: ข้าแต่ภควาน ดังที่ท่านได้กล่าวไว้ ธรรมอันแท้จริงของคฤหัสถ์คือธรรมที่ไม่ขัดขวางทรัพย์ ความพอใจทางประสาทสัมผัส เกียรติยศ และหนทางเลี้ยงชีพไม่ว่าเมื่อใด ข้าพเจ้าก็เห็นว่าหลักธรรมนี้ถูกต้อง
Bali Mahārāja’s grave answer to Śukrācārya is meaningful. Śukrācārya stressed that one’s material means of livelihood and one’s material reputation, sense gratification and economic development must continue properly. To see to this is the first duty of a man who is a householder, especially one who is interested in material affairs. If a religious principle does not affect one’s material condition, it is to be accepted. At the present time, in this Age of Kali, this idea is extremely prominent. No one is prepared to accept any religious principle if it hampers material prosperity. Śukrācārya, being a person of this material world, did not know the principles of a devotee. A devotee is determined to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead to His full satisfaction. Anything that hampers such determination should certainly be rejected. This is the principle of bhakti. Ānukūlyasya saṅkalpaḥ prātikūlyasya varjanam (Cc. Madhya 22.100). To perform devotional service, one must accept only that which is favorable and reject that which is unfavorable. Bali Mahārāja had the opportunity to contribute everything he possessed to the lotus feet of Lord Vāmanadeva, but Śukrācārya was putting forward a material argument to hamper this process of devotional service. Under the circumstances, Bali Mahārāja decided that such hindrances should certainly be avoided. In other words, he decided immediately to reject the advice of Śukrācārya and go on with his duty. Thus he gave all his possessions to Lord Vāmanadeva.
FAQs
This verse states that for householders, proper dharma is to live and act without harming one’s legitimate wealth, regulated enjoyment, reputation, or livelihood—maintaining life responsibly while following righteousness.
In the Vāmana-līlā narrative, Bali acknowledges the Lord’s statement as true and reflects on the standard duties of a householder, framing his response in terms of dharma while facing the Lord’s extraordinary request and arrangement.
Maintain ethical work and family responsibilities, protect your integrity and reputation, and pursue prosperity and enjoyment in a regulated way—without compromising dharma or causing destructive disruption to your livelihood.