Shloka 23
Brahmā Worships Vāmana; the Demons Attack; Bali is Bound and Questioned About the Third Step
भवद्भिर्निर्जिता ह्येते बहुशोऽनुचरा हरे: । दैवेनर्द्धैस्त एवाद्य युधि जित्वा नदन्ति न: ॥ २३ ॥
bhavadbhir nirjitā hy ete bahuśo ’nucarā hareḥ daivenarddhais ta evādya yudhi jitvā nadanti naḥ
从前你们蒙天命加持，多次击败毗湿奴之追随者；但今日同样的追随者在战场上胜过我们，正如狮子般欢呼咆哮。
Bhagavad-gītā mentions five causes of defeat or victory. Of these five, daiva (providence) is the most powerful ( na ca daivāt paraṁ balam ). Bali Mahārāja knew the secret of how he had formerly been victorious because providence was in his favor. Now, since that same providence was not in his favor, there was no possibility of his victory. Thus he very intelligently forbade his associates to fight.
FAQs
This verse states that victory and defeat can reverse by daiva—providence—so one should not become proud in success or hopeless in failure, seeing the Supreme Lord’s arrangement behind changing fortunes.
Bali points out that the Devas, as followers of Hari, had been defeated before, yet now—by destiny and renewed prosperity—they have overcome the Daityas; he uses this to explain the reversal and to steady his followers.
Treat success and setbacks as temporary, avoid arrogance when things go well, remain patient when circumstances turn, and keep faith and discipline by remembering that outcomes shift under higher laws.