Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 8 · Chapter 22
श्रीशुक उवाच एवं विप्रकृतो राजन् बलिर्भगवतासुर: । भिद्यमानोऽप्यभिन्नात्मा प्रत्याहाविक्लवं वच: ॥ १ ॥
sri-suka uvaca evam viprakrto rajan balir bhagavatasurah bhidyamano ’py abhinnatma pratyahaviklavam vacah
Sukadeva Gosvami said: O King, although the Supreme Personality of Godhead was superficially seen to have acted mischievously toward Bali Maharaja, Bali Maharaja was fixed in his determination. Considering himself not to have fulfilled his promise, he spoke as follows.
श्रीबलिरुवाच यद्युत्तमश्लोक भवान् ममेरितं वचो व्यलीकं सुरवर्य मन्यते । करोम्यृतं तन्न भवेत् प्रलम्भनं पदं तृतीयं कुरु शीर्ष्णि मे निजम् ॥ २ ॥
sri-balir uvaca yady uttamasloka bhavan mameritam vaco vyalikam sura-varya manyate karomy rtam tan na bhavet pralambhanam padam trtiyam kuru sirsni me nijam
Bali Maharaja said: O best Personality of Godhead, most worshipable for all the demigods, if You think that my promise has become false, I shall certainly rectify matters to make it truthful. I cannot allow my promise to be false. Please, therefore, place Your third lotus footstep on my head.
बिभेमि नाहं निरयात् पदच्युतो न पाशबन्धाद् व्यसनाद् दुरत्ययात् । नैवार्थकृच्छ्राद् भवतो विनिग्रहा- दसाधुवादाद् भृशमुद्विजे यथा ॥ ३ ॥
bibhemi naham nirayat pada-cyuto na pasa-bandhad vyasanad duratyayat naivartha-krcchrad bhavato vinigrahad asadhu-vadad bhrsam udvije yatha
I do not fear being deprived of all my possessions, living in hellish life, being arrested for poverty by the ropes of Varuna or being punished by You as much as I fear defamation.
पुंसां श्लाघ्यतमं मन्ये दण्डमर्हत्तमार्पितम् । यं न माता पिता भ्राता सुहृदश्चादिशन्ति हि ॥ ४ ॥
pumsam slaghyatamam manye dandam arhattamarpitam yam na mata pita bhrata suhrdas cadisanti hi
Although a father, mother, brother or friend may sometimes punish one as a well-wisher, they never punish their subordinate like this. But because You are the most worshipable Lord, I regard the punishment You have given me as most exalted.
त्वं नूनमसुराणां न: परोक्ष: परमो गुरु: । यो नोऽनेकमदान्धानां विभ्रंशं चक्षुरादिशत् ॥ ५ ॥
tvam nunam asuranam nah paroksah paramo guruh yo no ’neka-madandhanam vibhramsam caksur adisat
Since Your Lordship is indirectly the greatest well-wisher of us demons, You act for our best welfare by posing as if our enemy. Because demons like us always aspire for a position of false prestige, by chastising us You give us the eyes by which to see the right path.
यस्मिन् वैरानुबन्धेन व्यूढेन विबुधेतरा: । बहवो लेभिरे सिद्धिं यामु हैकान्तयोगिन: ॥ ६ ॥ तेनाहं निगृहीतोऽस्मि भवता भूरिकर्मणा । बद्धश्च वारुणै: पाशैर्नातिव्रीडे न च व्यथे ॥ ७ ॥
yasmin vairanubandhena vyudhena vibudhetarah bahavo lebhire siddhim yam u haikanta-yoginah tenaham nigrhito ’smi bhavata bhuri-karmana baddhas ca varunaih pasair nativride na ca vyathe
Many demons who were continuously inimical toward You finally achieved the perfection of great mystic yogis. Your Lordship can perform one work to serve many purposes, and consequently, although You have punished me in many ways, I do not feel ashamed of having been arrested by the ropes of Varuna, nor do I feel aggrieved.
पितामहो मे भवदीयसम्मत: प्रह्लाद आविष्कृतसाधुवाद: । भवद्विपक्षेण विचित्रवैशसं सम्प्रापितस्त्वं परम: स्वपित्रा ॥ ८ ॥
pitamaho me bhavadiya-sammatah prahrada aviskrta-sadhu-vadah bhavad-vipaksena vicitra-vaisasam samprapitas tvam paramah sva-pitra
My grandfather Prahlada Maharaja is famous, being recognized by all Your devotees. Although harassed in many ways by his father, Hiranyakasipu, he still remained faithful, taking shelter at Your lotus feet.
किमात्मनानेन जहाति योऽन्तत: किं रिक्थहारै: स्वजनाख्यदस्युभि: । किं जायया संसृतिहेतुभूतया मर्त्यस्य गेहै: किमिहायुषो व्यय: ॥ ९ ॥
kim atmananena jahati yo ’ntatah kim riktha-haraih svajanakhya-dasyubhih kim jayaya samsrti-hetu-bhutaya martyasya gehaih kim ihayuso vyayah
What is the use of the material body, which automatically leaves its owner at the end of life? And what is the use of all one’s family members, who are actually plunderers taking away money that is useful for the service of the Lord in spiritual opulence? What is the use of a wife? She is only the source of increasing material conditions. And what is the use of family, home, country and community? Attachment for them merely wastes the valuable energy of one’s lifetime.
इत्थं स निश्चित्य पितामहो महा- नगाधबोधो भवत: पादपद्मम् । ध्रुवं प्रपेदे ह्यकुतोभयं जनाद् भीत: स्वपक्षक्षपणस्य सत्तम ॥ १० ॥
ittham sa niscitya pitamaho mahan agadha-bodho bhavatah pada-padmam dhruvam prapede hy akutobhayam janad bhitah svapaksa-ksapanasya sattama
My grandfather, the best of all men, who achieved unlimited knowledge and was worshipable for everyone, was afraid of the common men in this world. Being fully convinced of the substantiality afforded by shelter at Your lotus feet, He took shelter of Your lotus feet, against the will of his father and demoniac friends, who were killed by Your own self.
अथाहमप्यात्मरिपोस्तवान्तिकं दैवेन नीत: प्रसभं त्याजितश्री: । इदं कृतान्तान्तिकवर्ति जीवितं ययाध्रुवं स्तब्धमतिर्न बुध्यते ॥ ११ ॥
athaham apy atma-ripos tavantikam daivena nitah prasabham tyajita-srih idam krtantantika-varti jivitam yayadhruvam stabdha-matir na budhyate
Only by providence have I been forcibly brought under Your lotus feet and deprived of all my opulence. Because of the illusion created by temporary opulence, people in general, who live under material conditions, facing accidental death at every moment, do not understand that this life is temporary. Only by providence have I been saved from that condition.
श्रीशुक उवाच तस्येत्थं भाषमाणस्य प्रह्लादो भगवत्प्रिय: । आजगाम कुरुश्रेष्ठ राकापतिरिवोत्थित: ॥ १२ ॥
sri-suka uvaca tasyettham bhasamanasya prahrado bhagavat-priyah ajagama kuru-srestha raka-patir ivotthitah
Sukadeva Gosvami said: O best of the Kurus, while Bali Maharaja was describing his fortunate position in this way, the most dear devotee of the Lord, Prahlada Maharaja, appeared there, like the moon rising in the nighttime.
तमिन्द्रसेन: स्वपितामहं श्रिया विराजमानं नलिनायतेक्षणम् । प्रांशुं पिशङ्गाम्बरमञ्जनत्विषं प्रलम्बबाहुं शुभगर्षभमैक्षत ॥ १३ ॥
tam indra-senah sva-pitamaham sriya virajamanam nalinayateksanam pramsum pisangambaram anjana-tvisam pralamba-bahum subhagarsabham aiksata
Then Bali Maharaja saw his grandfather Prahlada Maharaja, the most fortunate personality, whose dark body resembled black ointment for the eyes. His tall, elegant figure was dressed in yellow garments, he had long arms, and his beautiful eyes were like the petals of a lotus. He was very dear and pleasing to everyone.
तस्मै बलिर्वारुणपाशयन्त्रित: समर्हणं नोपजहार पूर्ववत् । ननाम मूर्ध्नाश्रुविलोललोचन: सव्रीडनीचीनमुखो बभूव ह ॥ १४ ॥
tasmai balir varuna-pasa-yantritah samarhanam nopajahara purvavat nanama murdhnasru-vilola-locanah sa-vrida-nicina-mukho babhuva ha
Being bound by the ropes of Varuna, Bali Maharaja could not offer befitting respect to Prahlada Maharaja as he had before. Rather, he simply offered respectful obeisances with his head, his eyes being inundated with tears and his face lowered in shame.
स तत्र हासीनमुदीक्ष्य सत्पतिं हरिं सुनन्दाद्यनुगैरुपासितम् । उपेत्य भूमौ शिरसा महामना ननाम मूर्ध्ना पुलकाश्रुविक्लव: ॥ १५ ॥
sa tatra hasinam udiksya sat-patim harim sunandady-anugair upasitam upetya bhumau sirasa maha-mana nanama murdhna pulakasru-viklavah
When the great personality Prahlada Maharaja saw that the Supreme Lord was sitting there, surrounded and worshiped by His intimate associates like Sunanda, he was overwhelmed with tears of jubilation. Approaching the Lord and falling to the ground, he offered obeisances to the Lord with his head.
श्रीप्रह्लाद उवाच त्वयैव दत्तं पदमैन्द्रमूर्जितं हृतं तदेवाद्य तथैव शोभनम् । मन्ये महानस्य कृतो ह्यनुग्रहो विभ्रंशितो यच्छ्रिय आत्ममोहनात् ॥ १६ ॥
sri-prahrada uvaca tvayaiva dattam padam aindram urjitam hrtam tad evadya tathaiva sobhanam manye mahan asya krto hy anugraho vibhramsito yac chriya atma-mohanat
Prahlada Maharaja said: My Lord, it is Your Lordship who gave this Bali the very great opulence of the post of heavenly king, and now, today, it is You who have taken it all away. I think You have acted with equal beauty in both ways. Because his exalted position as King of heaven was putting him in the darkness of ignorance, You have done him a very merciful favor by taking away all his opulence.
यया हि विद्वानपि मुह्यते यत- स्तत् को विचष्टे गतिमात्मनो यथा । तस्मै नमस्ते जगदीश्वराय वै नारायणायाखिललोकसाक्षिणे ॥ १७ ॥
yaya hi vidvan api muhyate yatas tat ko vicaste gatim atmano yatha tasmai namas te jagad-isvaraya vai narayanayakhila-loka-saksine
Material opulence is so bewildering that it makes even a learned, self-controlled man forget to search for the goal of self-realization. But the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana, the Lord of the universe, can see everything by His will. Therefore I offer my respectful obeisances unto Him.
श्रीशुक उवाच तस्यानुशृण्वतो राजन् प्रह्लादस्य कृताञ्जले: । हिरण्यगर्भो भगवानुवाच मधुसूदनम् ॥ १८ ॥
sri-suka uvaca tasyanusrnvato rajan prahradasya krtanjaleh hiranyagarbho bhagavan uvaca madhusudanam
Sukadeva Gosvami continued: O King Pariksit, Lord Brahma then began to speak to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, within the hearing of Prahlada Maharaja, who stood nearby with folded hands.
बद्धं वीक्ष्य पतिं साध्वी तत्पत्नी भयविह्वला । प्राञ्जलि: प्रणतोपेन्द्रं बभाषेऽवाङ्मुखी नृप ॥ १९ ॥
baddham viksya patim sadhvi tat-patni bhaya-vihvala pranjalih pranatopendram babhase ’van-mukhi nrpa
But Bali Maharaja’s chaste wife, afraid and aggrieved at seeing her husband arrested, immediately offered obeisances to Lord Vamanadeva (Upendra). She folded her hands and spoke as follows.
श्रीविन्ध्यावलिरुवाच क्रीडार्थमात्मन इदं त्रिजगत् कृतं ते स्वाम्यं तु तत्र कुधियोऽपर ईश कुर्यु: । कर्तु: प्रभोस्तव किमस्यत आवहन्ति त्यक्तह्रियस्त्वदवरोपितकर्तृवादा: ॥ २० ॥
sri-vindhyavalir uvaca kridartham atmana idam tri-jagat krtam te svamyam tu tatra kudhiyo ’para isa kuryuh kartuh prabhos tava kim asyata avahanti tyakta-hriyas tvad-avaropita-kartr-vadah
Srimati Vindhyavali said: O my Lord, You have created the entire universe for the enjoyment of Your personal pastimes, but foolish, unintelligent men have claimed proprietorship for material enjoyment. Certainly they are shameless agnostics. Falsely claiming proprietorship, they think they can give charity and enjoy. In such a condition, what good can they do for You, who are the independent creator, maintainer and annihilator of this universe?
श्रीब्रह्मोवाच भूतभावन भूतेश देवदेव जगन्मय । मुञ्चैनं हृतसर्वस्वं नायमर्हति निग्रहम् ॥ २१ ॥
sri-brahmovaca bhuta-bhavana bhutesa deva-deva jaganmaya muncainam hrta-sarvasvam nayam arhati nigraham
Lord Brahma said: O well-wisher and master of all living entities, O worshipable Deity of all the demigods, O all-pervading Personality of Godhead, now this man has been sufficiently punished, for You have taken everything. Now You can release him. He does not deserve to be punished more.
कृत्स्ना तेऽनेन दत्ता भूर्लोका: कर्मार्जिताश्च ये । निवेदितं च सर्वस्वमात्माविक्लवया धिया ॥ २२ ॥
krtsna te ’nena datta bhur lokah karmarjitas ca ye niveditam ca sarvasvam atmaviklavaya dhiya
Bali Maharaja had already offered everything to Your Lordship. Without hesitation, he has offered his land, the planes and whatever else he earned by his pious activities, including even his own body.
यत्पादयोरशठधी: सलिलं प्रदाय दूर्वाङ्कुरैरपि विधाय सतीं सपर्याम् । अप्युत्तमां गतिमसौ भजते त्रिलोकीं दाश्वानविक्लवमना: कथमार्तिमृच्छेत् ॥ २३ ॥
yat-padayor asatha-dhih salilam pradaya durvankurair api vidhaya satim saparyam apy uttamam gatim asau bhajate tri-lokim dasvan aviklava-manah katham artim rcchet
By offering even water, newly grown grass, or flower buds at Your lotus feet, those who maintain no mental duplicity can achieve the most exalted position within the spiritual world. This Bali Maharaja, without duplicity, has now offered everything in the three worlds. How then can he deserve to suffer from arrest?
श्रीभगवानुवाच ब्रह्मन् यमनुगृह्णामि तद्विशो विधुनोम्यहम् । यन्मद: पुरुष: स्तब्धो लोकं मां चावमन्यते ॥ २४ ॥
sri-bhagavan uvaca brahman yam anugrhnami tad-viso vidhunomy aham yan-madah purusah stabdho lokam mam cavamanyate
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Lord Brahma, because of material opulence a foolish person becomes dull-witted and mad. Thus he has no respect for anyone within the three worlds and defies even My authority. To such a person I show special favor by first taking away all his possessions.
यदा कदाचिज्जीवात्मा संसरन् निजकर्मभि: । नानायोनिष्वनीशोऽयं पौरुषीं गतिमाव्रजेत् ॥ २५ ॥
yada kadacij jivatma samsaran nija-karmabhih nana-yonisv aniso ’yam paurusim gatim avrajet
While rotating in the cycle of birth and death again and again in different species because of his own fruitive activities, the dependent living entity, by good fortune, may happen to become a human being. This human birth is very rarely obtained.
जन्मकर्मवयोरूपविद्यैश्वर्यधनादिभि: । यद्यस्य न भवेत् स्तम्भस्तत्रायं मदनुग्रह: ॥ २६ ॥
janma-karma-vayo-rupa- vidyaisvarya-dhanadibhih yady asya na bhavet stambhas tatrayam mad-anugrahah
If a human being is born in an aristocratic family or a higher status of life, if he performs wonderful activities, if he is youthful, if he has personal beauty, a good education and good wealth, and if he is nonetheless not proud of his opulences, it is to be understood that he is especially favored by the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
मानस्तम्भनिमित्तानां जन्मादीनां समन्तत: । सर्वश्रेय:प्रतीपानां हन्त मुह्येन्न मत्पर: ॥ २७ ॥
mana-stambha-nimittanam janmadinam samantatah sarva-sreyah-pratipanam hanta muhyen na mat-parah
Although aristocratic birth and other such opulences are impediments to advancement in devotional service because they are causes of false prestige and pride, these opulences never disturb a pure devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
एष दानवदैत्यानामग्रणी: कीर्तिवर्धन: । अजैषीदजयां मायां सीदन्नपि न मुह्यति ॥ २८ ॥
esa danava-daityanam agranih kirti-vardhanah ajaisid ajayam mayam sidann api na muhyati
Bali Maharaja has become the most famous among the demons and nonbelievers, for in spite of being bereft of all material opulences, he is fixed in his devotional service.
क्षीणरिक्थश्च्युत: स्थानात् क्षिप्तो बद्धश्च शत्रुभि: । ज्ञातिभिश्च परित्यक्तो यातनामनुयापित: ॥ २९ ॥ गुरुणा भर्त्सित: शप्तो जहौ सत्यं न सुव्रत: । छलैरुक्तो मया धर्मो नायं त्यजति सत्यवाक् ॥ ३० ॥
ksina-rikthas cyutah sthanat ksipto baddhas ca satrubhih jnatibhis ca parityakto yatanam anuyapitah guruna bhartsitah sapto jahau satyam na suvratah chalair ukto maya dharmo nayam tyajati satya-vak
Although bereft of his riches, fallen from his original position, defeated and arrested by his enemies, rebuked and deserted by his relatives and friends, although suffering the pain of being bound and although rebuked and cursed by his spiritual master, Bali Maharaja, being fixed in his vow, did not give up his truthfulness. It was certainly with pretension that I spoke about religious principles, but he did not give up religious principles, for he is true to his word.
एष मे प्रापित: स्थानं दुष्प्रापममरैरपि । सावर्णेरन्तरस्यायं भवितेन्द्रो मदाश्रय: ॥ ३१ ॥
esa me prapitah sthanam dusprapam amarair api savarner antarasyayam bhavitendro mad-asrayah
The Lord continued: Because of his great tolerance, I have given him a place not obtainable even by the demigods. He will become King of the heavenly planes during the period of the Manu known as Savarni.
तावत् सुतलमध्यास्तां विश्वकर्मविनिर्मितम् । यदाधयो व्याधयश्च क्लमस्तन्द्रा पराभव: । नोपसर्गा निवसतां सम्भवन्ति ममेक्षया ॥ ३२ ॥
tavat sutalam adhyastam visvakarma-vinirmitam yad adhayo vyadhayas ca klamas tandra parabhavah nopasarga nivasatam sambhavanti mameksaya
Until Bali Maharaja achieves the position of King of heaven, he shall live on the plane Sutala, which was made by Visvakarma according to My order. Because it is especially protected by Me, it is free from mental and bodily miseries, fatigue, dizziness, defeat and all other disturbances. Bali Maharaja, you may now go live there peacefully.
इन्द्रसेन महाराज याहि भो भद्रमस्तु ते । सुतलं स्वर्गिभि: प्रार्थ्यं ज्ञातिभि: परिवारित: ॥ ३३ ॥
indrasena maharaja yahi bho bhadram astu te sutalam svargibhih prarthyam jnatibhih parivaritah
O Bali Maharaja (Indrasena), now you may go to the plane Sutala, which is desired even by the demigods. Live there peacefully, surrounded by your friends and relatives. All good fortune unto you.
न त्वामभिभविष्यन्ति लोकेशा: किमुतापरे । त्वच्छासनातिगान् दैत्यांश्चक्रं मे सूदयिष्यति ॥ ३४ ॥
na tvam abhibhavisyanti lokesah kim utapare tvac-chasanatigan daityams cakram me sudayisyati
On the plane Sutala, not even the predominating deities of other planes, what to speak of ordinary people, will be able to conquer you. As far as the demons are concerned, if they transgress your rule, My disc will kill them.
रक्षिष्ये सर्वतोऽहं त्वां सानुगं सपरिच्छदम् । सदा सन्निहितं वीर तत्र मां द्रक्ष्यते भवान् ॥ ३५ ॥
raksisye sarvato ’ham tvam sanugam saparicchadam sada sannihitam vira tatra mam draksyate bhavan
O great hero, I shall always be with you and give you protection in all respects along with your associates and paraphernalia. Moreover, you will always be able to see Me there.
तत्र दानवदैत्यानां सङ्गात्ते भाव आसुर: । दृष्ट्वा मदनुभावं वै सद्य: कुण्ठो विनङ्क्ष्यति ॥ ३६ ॥
tatra danava-daityanam sangat te bhava asurah drstva mad-anubhavam vai sadyah kuntho vinanksyati
Because there you will see My supreme prowess, your materialistic ideas and anxieties that have arisen from your association with the demons and Danavas will immediately be vanquished.
