Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 8
Indra Slays Namuci—The Limits of Power and the Triumph of Divine Strategy
तदिदं कालरशनं जगत् पश्यन्ति सूरय: । न हृष्यन्ति न शोचन्ति तत्र यूयमपण्डिता: ॥ ८ ॥
tad idaṁ kāla-raśanaṁ jagat paśyanti sūrayaḥ na hṛṣyanti na śocanti tatra yūyam apaṇḍitāḥ
Thấy thế gian này bị trói bởi sợi dây của Thời gian, bậc hiền triết hiểu chân lý không vui mừng cũng không than khóc; vì các ngươi hân hoan vì chiến thắng nên bị xem là chưa thông tuệ.
Bali Mahārāja knew that Indra, King of heaven, was extremely powerful, certainly more powerful than he himself. Nonetheless, Bali Mahārāja challenged Indra by saying that Indra was not a very learned person. In Bhagavad-gītā (2.11) Kṛṣṇa rebuked Arjuna by saying:
FAQs
This verse states that the wise perceive the world as bound by the rope of Time, implying that all conditions—gain and loss, victory and defeat—are governed by Kala and thus should be met with steadiness.
In the context of the devas–asuras conflict, Bali emphasizes spiritual intelligence: one should not be overwhelmed by shifting outcomes, because Time binds all worldly situations and none are permanent.
Practice equanimity: when circumstances change, remember they are temporary and time-driven; respond with duty and devotion rather than emotional extremes of elation or despair.