Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 6
Vāmanadeva Praises Bali; the Measure of Three Steps; Śukrācārya Warns Against the Gift
यं विनिर्जित्य कृच्छ्रेण विष्णु: क्ष्मोद्धार आगतम् । आत्मानं जयिनं मेने तद्वीर्यं भूर्यनुस्मरन् ॥ ६ ॥
yaṁ vinirjitya kṛcchreṇa viṣṇuḥ kṣmoddhāra āgatam ātmānaṁ jayinaṁ mene tad-vīryaṁ bhūry anusmaran
当主毗湿奴以野猪化身前来从伽婆陀迦海中拯救大地时，与希兰尼亚克沙展开惨烈鏖战，并在极其艰难中将其诛灭。后来，主屡屡追忆希兰尼亚克沙那非凡的勇力，便更觉自己确为胜者。
FAQs
This verse shows how Bali, after a hard-won triumph, began to think of himself as the true victor—illustrating how success can inflate ego and obscure the Lord’s higher purpose.
Śukadeva indicates that Viṣṇu’s descent is ultimately for cosmic welfare—protecting and restoring balance—regardless of how the demons temporarily interpret events as their own victory.
Even genuine achievements can breed arrogance; remembering that results depend on divine order and cultivating humility helps keep success aligned with dharma.