Srimad-Bhagavatam: Canto 8: “Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations”
by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Chapter Twenty
Bali Maharaja Surrenders the Universe
SB8.20Summary
The summary of this Twentieth Chapter is as follows. Despite his knowledge that Lord Vamanadeva was cheating him, Bali Maharaja gave everything to the Lord in charity, and thus the Lord extended His body and assumed a gigantic form as Lord Visnu.
After hearing the instructive advice of Sukracarya, Bali Maharaja became contemplative. Because it is the duty of a householder to maintain the principles of religion, economic development and sense gratification, Bali Maharaja thought it improper to withdraw his promise to the brahmacari. To lie or fail to honor a promise given to a brahmacari is never proper, for lying is the most sinful activity. Everyone should be afraid of the sinful reactions to lying, for mother earth cannot even bear the weight of a sinful liar. The spreading of a kingdom or empire is temporary; if there is no benefit for the general public, such expansion has no value. Previously, all the great kings and emperors expanded their kingdoms with a regard for the welfare of the people in general. Indeed, while engaged in such activities for the benefit of the general public, eminent men sometimes even sacrificed their lives. It is said that one who is glorious in his activities is always living and never dies. Therefore, fame should be the aim of life, and even if one becomes poverty-stricken for the sake of a good reputation, that is not a loss. Bali Maharaja thought that even if this brahmacari, Vamanadeva, were Lord Visnu, if the Lord accepted his charity and then again arrested him, Bali Maharaja would not envy Him. Considering all these points, Bali Maharaja finally gave in charity everything he possessed.
Lord Vamanadeva then immediately extended Himself into a universal body. By the mercy of Lord Vamanadeva, Bali Maharaja could see that the Lord is all-pervading and that everything rests in His body. Bali Maharaja could see Lord Vamanadeva as the supreme Visnu, wearing a helmet, yellow garments, the mark of Srivatsa, the Kaustubha jewel, a flower garland, and ornaments decorating His entire body. The Lord gradually covered the entire surface of the world, and by extending His body He covered the entire sky. With His hands He covered all directions, and with His second footstep He covered the entire upper planetary system. Therefore there was no vacant place where He could take His third footstep. SB8.20.1 TEXT 1 sri-suka uvaca balir evam grha-patih kulacaryena bhasitah tusnim bhutva ksanam rajann uvacavahito gurum SYNONYMS sri-sukah uvaca—Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said; balih—Bali Maharaja; evam—thus; grha-patih—the master of the household affairs, although guided by the priests; kula-acaryena—by the family acarya or guide; bhasitah—being thus addressed; tusnim—silent; bhutva—becoming; ksanam—for a moment; rajan—O King (Maharaja Pariksit); uvaca—said; avahitah—after full deliberation; gurum—unto his spiritual master. TRANSLATION Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: O King Pariksit, when Bali Maharaja was thus advised by his spiritual master, Sukracarya, his family priest, he remained silent for some time, and then, after full deliberation, he replied to his spiritual master as follows. PURPORT Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura remarks that Bali Maharaja remained silent at a critical point. How could he disobey the instruction of Sukracarya, his spiritual master? It is the duty of such a sober personality as Bali Maharaja to abide by the orders of his spiritual master immediately, as his spiritual master had advised. But Bali Maharaja also considered that Sukracarya was no longer to be accepted as a spiritual master, for he had deviated from the duty of a spiritual master. According to sastra, the duty of the guru is to take the disciple back home, back to Godhead. If he is unable to do so and instead hinders the disciple in going back to Godhead, he should not be a guru. Gurur na sa syat (Bhag. 5.5.18). One should not become a guru if he cannot enable his disciple to advance in Krsna consciousness. The goal of life is to become a devotee of Lord Krsna so that one may be freed from the bondage of material existence (tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti so ’rjuna [Bg. 4.9]). The spiritual master helps the disciple attain this stage by developing Krsna consciousness. Now Sukracarya has advised Bali Maharaja to deny the promise to Vamanadeva. Under the circumstances, therefore, Bali Maharaja thought that there would be no fault if he disobeyed the order of his spiritual master. He deliberated on this point—should he refuse to accept the advise of his spiritual master, or should he independently do everything to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead? He took some time. Therefore it is said, tusnim bhutva ksanam rajann uvacavahito gurum. After deliberating on this point, he decided that Lord Visnu should be pleased in all circumstances, even at the risk of ignoring the guru’s advice to the contrary. Anyone who is supposed to be a guru but who goes against the principle of visnu-bhakti cannot be accepted as guru. If one has falsely accepted such a guru, one should reject him. Such a guru is described as follows (Mahabharata, Udyoga 179.25): guror apy avaliptasya Srila Jiva Gosvami has advised that such a useless guru, a family priest acting as guru, should be given up, and that the proper, bona-fide guru should be accepted. sat-karma-nipuno vipro “A scholarly brahmana expert in all subjects of Vedic knowledge is unfit to become a spiritual master without being a Vaisnava, but if a person born in a family of a lower caste is a Vaisnava, he can become a spiritual master.” (Padma Purana) SB8.20.2 TEXT 2 sri-balir uvaca satyam bhagavata proktam dharmo ’yam grhamedhinam artham kamam yaso vrttim yo na badheta karhicit SYNONYMS sri-balih uvaca—Bali Maharaja said; satyam—it is truth; bhagavata—by Your Greatness; proktam—what has already been spoken; dharmah—a religious principle; ayam—that is; grhamedhinam—especially for the householders; artham—economic development; kamam—sense gratification; yasah vrttim—reputation and means of livelihood; yah—which religious principle; na—not; badheta—hinders; karhicit—at any time. TRANSLATION Bali Maharaja said: As you have already stated, the principle of religion that does not hinder one’s economic development, sense gratification, fame and means of livelihood is the real occupational duty of the householder. I also think that this religious principle is correct. PURPORT Bali Maharaja’s grave answer to Sukracarya is meaningful. Sukracarya stressed that one’s material means of livelihood and one’s material reputation, sense gratification and economic development must continue properly. To see to this is the first duty of a man who is a householder, especially one who is interested in material affairs. If a religious principle does not affect one’s material condition, it is to be accepted. At the present time, in this age of Kali, this idea is extremely prominent. No one is prepared to accept any religious principle if it hampers material prosperity. Sukracarya, being a person of this material world, did not know the principles of a devotee. A devotee is determined to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead to His full satisfaction. Anything that hampers such determination should certainly be rejected. This is the principle of bhakti. Anukulyasya sankalpah pratikulyasya varjanam (Cc. Madhya 22.100). To perform devotional service, one must accept only that which is favorable and reject that which is unfavorable. Bali Maharaja had the opportunity to contribute everything he possessed to the lotus feet of Lord Vamanadeva, but Sukracarya was putting forward a material argument to hamper this process of devotional service. Under the circumstances, Bali Maharaja decided that such hindrances should certainly be avoided. In other words, he decided immediately to reject the advice of Sukracarya and go on with his duty. Thus he gave all his possessions to Lord Vamanadeva. SB8.20.3 TEXT 3 sa caham vitta-lobhena pratyacakse katham dvijam pratisrutya dadamiti prahradih kitavo yatha SYNONYMS sah—such a person as I am; ca—also; aham—I am; vitta-lobhena—for being allured by greed for money; pratyacakse—I shall cheat or say no when I have already said yes; katham—how; dvijam—especially to a brahmana; pratisrutya—after already having promised; dadami—that I shall give; iti—thus; prahradih—I who am famous as the grandson of Maharaja Prahlada; kitavah—an ordinary cheater; yatha—just like. TRANSLATION I am the grandson of Maharaja Prahlada. How can I withdraw my promise because of greed for money when I have already said that I shall give this land? How can I behave like an ordinary cheater, especially toward a brahmana? PURPORT Bali Maharaja had already been blessed by his grandfather Prahlada Maharaja. Therefore, he was a pure devotee, although born in a family of demons. There are two kinds of highly elevated devotees, called sadhana-siddha and krpa-siddha. Sadhana-siddha refers to one who has become a devotee by regular execution of the regulative principles mentioned in the sastras, as ordered and directed by the spiritual master. If one regularly executes such devotional service, he will certainly attain perfection in due course of time. But there are other devotees, who may not have undergone all the required details of devotional service but who, by the special mercy of guru and Krsna—the spiritual master and the Supreme Personality of Godhead—have immediately attained the perfection of pure devotional service. Examples of such devotees are the yajna-patnis, Maharaja Bali and Sukadeva Gosvami. The yajna-patnis were the wives of ordinary brahmanas engaged in fruitive activities. Although the brahmanas were very learned and advanced in Vedic knowledge, they could not achieve the mercy of Krsna-Balarama, whereas their wives achieved complete perfection in devotional service, despite their being women. Similarly, Vairocani, Bali Maharaja, received the mercy of Prahlada Maharaja, and by Prahlada Maharaja’s mercy he also received the mercy of Lord Visnu, who appeared before him as a brahmacari beggar. Thus Bali Maharaja became a krpa-siddha because of the special mercy of both guru and Krsna. Caitanya Mahaprabhu confirms this favor: guru-krsna-prasade paya bhakti-lata-bija (Cc. Madhya 19.151). Bali Maharaja, by the grace of Prahlada Maharaja, got the seed of devotional service, and when that seed developed, he achieved the ultimate fruit of that service, namely love of Godhead (prema pum-artho mahan), immediately upon the appearance of Lord Vamanadeva. Bali Maharaja regularly maintained devotion for the Lord, and because he was purified, the Lord appeared before him. Because of unalloyed love for the Lord, he then immediately decided, “I shall give this little dwarf brahmana whatever He asks from me.” This is a sign of love. Thus Bali Maharaja is understood to be one who received the highest perfection of devotional service by special mercy. SB8.20.4 TEXT 4 na hy asatyat paro ’dharma iti hovaca bhur iyam sarvam sodhum alam manye rte ’lika-param naram SYNONYMS na—not; hi—indeed; asatyat—than compulsion to untruthfulness; parah—more; adharmah—irreligion; iti—thus; ha uvaca—indeed had spoken; bhuh—mother earth; iyam—this; sarvam—everything; sodhum—to bear; alam—I am able; manye—although I think; rte—except; alika-param—the most heinous liar; naram—a human being. TRANSLATION There is nothing more sinful than untruthfulness. Because of this, mother earth once said, “I can bear any heavy thing except a person who is a liar.” PURPORT On the surface of the earth there are many great mountains and oceans that are very heavy, and mother earth has no difficulty carrying them. But she feels very much overburdened when she carries even one person who is a liar. It is said that in Kali-yuga lying is a common affair: mayaiva vyavaharike (Bhag. 12.2.3). Even in the most common dealings, people are accustomed to speaking so many lies. No one is free from the sinful reactions of speaking lies. Under the circumstances, one can just imagine how this has overburdened the earth, and indeed the entire universe. SB8.20.5 TEXT 5 naham bibhemi nirayan nadhanyad asukharnavat na sthana-cyavanan mrtyor yatha vipra-pralambhanat SYNONYMS na—not; aham—I; bibhemi—am afraid of; nirayat—from a hellish condition of life; na—nor; adhanyat—from a poverty-stricken condition; asukha-arnavat—nor from an ocean of distresses; na—nor; sthana-cyavanat—from falling from a position; mrtyoh—nor from death; yatha—as; vipra-pralambhanat—from the cheating of a brahmana. TRANSLATION I do not fear hell, poverty, an ocean of distress, falldown from my position or even death itself as much as I fear cheating a brahmana. SB8.20.6 TEXT 6 yad yad dhasyati loke ’smin samparetam dhanadikam tasya tyage nimittam kim vipras tusyen na tena cet SYNONYMS yat yat—whatsoever; hasyati—will leave; loke—in the world; asmin—in this; samparetam—one who is already dead; dhana-adikam—his wealth and riches; tasya—of such wealth; tyage—in renunciation; nimittam—the purpose; kim—what is; viprah—the brahmana who is confidentially Lord Visnu; tusyet—must be pleased; na—is not; tena—by such (riches); cet—if there is a possibility. TRANSLATION My lord, you can also see that all the material opulences of this world are certainly separated from their possessor at death. Therefore, if the brahmana Vamanadeva is not satisfied by whatever gifts one has given, why not please Him with the riches one is destined to lose at death? PURPORT The word vipra means brahmana, and at the same time “confidential.” Bali Maharaja had confidentially decided to give the gift to Lord Vamanadeva without discussion, but because such a decision would hurt the hearts of the asuras and his spiritual master, Sukracarya, he spoke equivocally. Bali Maharaja, as a pure devotee, had already decided to give all the land to Lord Visnu. SB8.20.7 TEXT 7 sreyah kurvanti bhutanam sadhavo dustyajasubhih dadhyan-sibi-prabhrtayah ko vikalpo dharadisu SYNONYMS sreyah—activities of the utmost importance; kurvanti—execute; bhutanam—of the general mass of people; sadhavah—the saintly persons; dustyaja—which are extremely hard to give up; asubhih—by their lives; dadhyan—Maharaja Dadhici; sibi—Maharaja Sibi; prabhrtayah—and similar great personalities; kah—what; vikalpah—consideration; dhara-adisu—in giving the land to the brahmana. TRANSLATION Dadhici, Sibi and many other great personalities were willing to sacrifice even their lives for the benefit of the people in general. This is the evidence of history. So why not give up this insignificant land? What is the serious consideration against it? PURPORT Bali Maharaja was prepared to give everything to Lord Visnu, and Sukracarya, being a professional priest, might have been anxiously waiting, doubting whether there had been any such instance in history in which one had given everything in charity. Bali Maharaja, however, cited the tangible examples of Maharaja Sibi and Maharaja Dadhici, who had given up their lives for the benefit of the general public. Certainly one has attachment for everything material, especially one’s land, but land and other possessions are forcibly taken away at the time of death, as stated in Bhagavad-gita (mrtyuh sarva-haras caham). The Lord personally appeared to Bali Maharaja to take away everything he had, and thus he was so fortunate that he could see the Lord face to face. Nondevotees, however, cannot see the Lord face to face; to such persons the Lord appears as death and takes away all their possessions by force. Under the circumstances, why should we not part with our possessions and deliver them to Lord Visnu for His satisfaction? Sri Canakya Pandita says in this regard, san-nimitte varam tyago vinase niyate sati (Canakya-sloka 36). Since our money and possessions do not last but will somehow or other be taken away, as long as they are in our possession it is better to use them for charity to a noble cause. Therefore Bali Maharaja defied the order of his so-called spiritual master. SB8.20.8 TEXT 8 yair iyam bubhuje brahman daityendrair anivartibhih tesam kalo ’grasil lokan na yaso ’dhigatam bhuvi SYNONYMS yaih—by whom; iyam—this world; bubhuje—was enjoyed; brahman—O best of the brahmanas; daitya-indraih—by great heroes and kings born in demoniac families; anivartibhih—by those who were determined to fight, either to lay down their lives or to win victory; tesam—of such persons; kalah—the time factor; agrasit—took away; lokan—all possessions, all objects of enjoyment; na—not; yasah—the reputation; adhigatam—achieved; bhuvi—in this world. TRANSLATION O best of the brahmanas, certainly the great demoniac kings who were never reluctant to fight enjoyed this world, but in due course of time everything they had was taken away, except their reputation, by which they continue to exist. In other words, one should try to achieve a good reputation instead of anything else. PURPORT In this regard, Canakya Pandita (Canakya-sloka 34) also says, ayusah ksana eko ’pi na labhya svarna-kotibhih. The duration of one’s life is extremely short, but if in that short lifetime one can do something that enhances his good reputation, that may continue to exist for many millions of years. Bali Maharaja therefore decided not to follow his spiritual master’s instruction that he deny his promise to Vamanadeva; instead, he decided to give the land according to the promise and be everlastingly celebrated as one of the twelve mahajanas (balir vaiyasakir vayam). SB8.20.9 TEXT 9 sulabha yudhi viprarse hy anivrttas tanu-tyajah na tatha tirtha ayate sraddhaya ye dhana-tyajah SYNONYMS su-labhah—very easily obtained; yudhi—in the battlefield; vipra-rse—O best of the brahmanas; hi—indeed; anivrttah—not being afraid of fighting; tanu-tyajah—and thus lay down their lives; na—not; tatha—as; tirthe ayate—on the arrival of a saintly person who creates holy places; sraddhaya—with faith and devotion; ye—those who; dhana-tyajah—can give up their accumulated wealth. TRANSLATION O best of the brahmanas, many men have laid down their lives on the battlefield, being unafraid of fighting, but rarely has one gotten the chance to give his accumulated wealth faithfully to a saintly person who creates holy places. PURPORT Many ksatriyas have laid down their lives on the battlefield for their nations, but hardly a person can be found who has given up all his property and his accumulated wealth in charity to a person worthy of the gift. As stated in Bhagavad-gita (17.20): datavyam iti yad danam “That gift which is given out of duty, at the proper time and place, to a worthy person, and without expectation of return is considered to be charity in the mode of goodness.” Thus charity given in the proper place is called sattvika. And above this charity in goodness is transcendental charity, in which everything is sacrificed for the sake of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Vamanadeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, had come to Bali Maharaja for alms. How could one get such an opportunity to give charity? Therefore, Bali Maharaja decided without hesitation to give the Lord whatever He wanted. One may get various opportunities to lay down his life on the battlefield, but such an opportunity as this is hardly ever obtained. SB8.20.10 TEXT 10 manasvinah karunikasya sobhanam yad arthi-kamopanayena durgatih kutah punar brahma-vidam bhavadrsam tato vator asya dadami vanchitam SYNONYMS manasvinah—of persons who are greatly munificent; karunikasya—of persons celebrated as very merciful; sobhanam—very auspicious; yat—that; arthi—of persons in need of money; kama-upanayena—by satisfying; durgatih—becoming poverty-stricken; kutah—what; punah—again (is to be said); brahma-vidam—of persons well versed in transcendental science (brahma-vidya); bhavadrsam—like your good self; tatah—therefore; vatoh—of the brahmacari; asya—of this Vamanadeva; dadami—I shall give; vanchitam—whatever He wants. TRANSLATION By giving charity, a benevolent and merciful person undoubtedly becomes even more auspicious, especially when he gives charity to a person like your good self. Under the circumstances, I must give this little brahmacari whatever charity He wants from me. PURPORT If one accepts a poverty-stricken position because of losing money in business, gambling, prostitution or intoxication, no one will praise him, but if one becomes poverty-stricken by giving all of his possessions in charity, he becomes adored all over the world. Aside from this, if a benevolent and merciful person exhibits his pride in becoming poverty-stricken by giving his possessions in charity for good causes, his poverty is a welcome and auspicious sign of a great personality. Bali Maharaja decided that even though he would become poverty-stricken by giving everything to Vamanadeva, this is what he would prefer. SB8.20.11 TEXT 11 yajanti yajnam kratubhir yam adrta bhavanta amnaya-vidhana-kovidah sa eva visnur varado ’stu va paro dasyamy amusmai ksitim ipsitam mune SYNONYMS yajanti—worship; yajnam—who is the enjoyer of sacrifice; kratubhih—by the different paraphernalia for sacrifice; yam—unto the Supreme Person; adrtah—very respectfully; bhavantah—all of you; amnaya-vidhana-kovidah—great saintly persons fully aware of the Vedic principles of performing sacrifice; sah—that; eva—indeed; visnuh—is Lord Visnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead; varadah—either He is prepared to give benedictions; astu—He becomes; va—or; parah—comes as an enemy; dasyami—I shall give; amusmai—unto Him (unto Lord Visnu, Vamanadeva); ksitim—the tract of land; ipsitam—whatever He has desired; mune—O great sage. TRANSLATION O great sage, great saintly persons like you, being completely aware of the Vedic principles for performing ritualistic ceremonies and yajnas, worship Lord Visnu in all circumstances. Therefore, whether that same Lord Visnu has come here to give me all benedictions or to punish me as an enemy, I must carry out His order and give Him the requested tract of land without hesitation. PURPORT As stated by Lord Siva: aradhananam sarvesam (Padma Purana) Although in the Vedas there are recommendations for worshiping many demigods, Lord Visnu is the Supreme Person, and worship of Visnu is the ultimate goal of life. The Vedic principles of the varnasrama institution are meant to organize society to prepare everyone to worship Lord Visnu. varnasramacaravata “The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu, is worshiped by the proper execution of prescribed duties in the system of varna and asrama. There is no other way to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” (Visnu Purana 3.8.9) One must ultimately worship Lord Visnu, and for that purpose the varnasrama system organizes society into brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas, sudras, brahmacaris, grhasthas, vanaprasthas and sannyasis. Bali Maharaja, having been perfectly educated in devotional service by his grandfather Prahlada Maharaja, knew how things are to be done. He was never to be misguided by anyone, even by a person who happened to be his so-called spiritual master. This is the sign of full surrender. Bhaktivinoda Thakura said: marabi rakhabi——yo iccha tohara When one surrenders to Lord Visnu, one must be prepared to abide by His orders in all circumstances, whether He kills one or gives one protection. Lord Visnu must be worshiped in all circumstances. SB8.20.12 TEXT 12 yadyapy asav adharmena mam badhniyad anagasam tathapy enam na himsisye bhitam brahma-tanum ripum SYNONYMS yadyapi—although; asau—Lord Visnu; adharmena—crookedly, without reference to the straight way; mam—me; badhniyat—kills; anagasam—although I am not sinful; tathapi—still; enam—against Him; na—not; himsisye—I shall take any retaliation; bhitam—because He is afraid; brahma-tanum—having assumed the form of a brahmana-brahmacari; ripum—even though He is my enemy. TRANSLATION Although He is Visnu Himself, out of fear He has covered Himself in the form of a brahmana to come to me begging. Under the circumstances, because He has assumed the form of a brahmana, even if He irreligiously arrests me or even kills me, I shall not retaliate, although He is my enemy. PURPORT If Lord Visnu as He is had come to Bali Maharaja and asked him to do something, Bali Maharaja certainly would not have refused His request. But to enjoy a little humor between Himself and His devotee, the Lord covered Himself as a brahmana-brahmacari and thus came to Bali Maharaja to beg for only three feet of land. SB8.20.13 TEXT 13 esa va uttamasloko na jihasati yad yasah hatva mainam hared yuddhe sayita nihato maya SYNONYMS esah—this (brahmacari); va—either; uttama-slokah—is Lord Visnu, who is worshiped by Vedic prayers; na—not; jihasati—desires to give up; yat—because; yasah—perpetual fame; hatva—after killing; ma—me; enam—all this land; haret—will take away; yuddhe—in the fight; sayita—will lie down; nihatah—being killed; maya—by me. TRANSLATION If this brahmana really is Lord Visnu, who is worshiped by Vedic hymns, He would never give up His widespread reputation; either He would lie down having been killed by me, or He would kill me in a fight. PURPORT Bali Maharaja’s statement that Visnu would lie down having been killed is not the direct meaning, for Visnu cannot be killed by anyone. Lord Visnu can kill everyone, but He cannot be killed. Thus the real meaning of the words “lie down” is that Lord Visnu would reside within the core of Bali Maharaja’s heart. Lord Visnu is defeated by a devotee through devotional service; otherwise, no one can defeat Lord Visnu.
karyakaryam ajanatah
utpatha-pratipannasya
parityago vidhiyate
mantra-tantra-visaradah
avaisnavo gurur na syad
vaisnavah svapaco guruh
diyate ’nupakarine
dese kale ca patre ca
tad danam sattvikam smrtam
visnor aradhanam param
tasmat parataram devi
tadiyanam samarcanam
purusena parah puman
visnur aradhyate pantha
nanyat tat-tosa-karanam
nitya-dasa-prati tuya adhikara