Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 14
Bali Mahārāja Upholds Truth; Vāmana Reveals the Universal Form and Takes the Two Steps
श्रीशुक उवाच एवमश्रद्धितं शिष्यमनादेशकरं गुरु: । शशाप दैवप्रहित: सत्यसन्धं मनस्विनम् ॥ १४ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca evam aśraddhitaṁ śiṣyam anādeśakaraṁ guruḥ śaśāpa daiva-prahitaḥ satya-sandhaṁ manasvinam
Wika ni Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī—Sa gayon, si Śukrācārya, ang gurong espirituwal na pinukaw ng Kataas-taasang Panginoon, ay nagsumpa kay Bali Mahārāja, ang dakilang alagad na mapagbigay at matatag sa katotohanan, sapagkat nais niyang suwayin ang utos ng kanyang guro.
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) :
FAQs
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).
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.
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.