Before Verses
Devanagari
Verse Text
Synonyms
Translation
Purport
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Bali Mahārāja Arrested by the Lord
This chapter describes how Lord Viṣṇu, desiring to advertise the glories of Bali Mahārāja, arrested him for not fulfilling his promise in regard to the Lord’s third step.
With the second step the Supreme Personality of Godhead reached the topmost planet of the universe, Brahmaloka, which He diminished in beauty by the effulgence of His toenails. Thus Lord Brahmā, accompanied by great sages like Marīci and the predominating deities of all the higher planets, offered humble prayers and worship to the Lord. They washed the Lord’s feet and worshiped Him with all paraphernalia. Ṛkṣarāja, Jāmbavān, played his bugle to vibrate the glories of the Lord. When Bali Mahārāja was deprived of all his possessions, the demons were very angry. Although Bali Mahārāja warned them not to do so, they took up weapons against Lord Viṣṇu. All of them were defeated, however, by Lord Viṣṇu’s eternal associates, and, in accordance with Bali Mahārāja’s order, they all entered the lower planets of the universe. Understanding Lord Viṣṇu’s purpose, Garuḍa, the carrier of Lord Viṣṇu, immediately arrested Bali Mahārāja with the ropes of Varuṇa. When Bali Mahārāja was thus reduced to a helpless position, Lord Viṣṇu asked him for the third step of land. Because Lord Viṣṇu appreciated Bali Mahārāja’s determination and integrity, when Bali Mahārāja was unable to fulfill his promise, Lord Viṣṇu ascertained that the place for him would be the planet Sutala, which is better than the planets of heaven.
Devanagari
श्रीशुक उवाच
सत्यं समीक्ष्याब्जभवो नखेन्दुभि-
र्हतस्वधामद्युतिरावृतोऽभ्यगात् ।
मरीचिमिश्रा ऋषयो बृहद्व्रता:
सनन्दनाद्या नरदेव योगिन: ॥ १ ॥
सत्यं समीक्ष्याब्जभवो नखेन्दुभि-
र्हतस्वधामद्युतिरावृतोऽभ्यगात् ।
मरीचिमिश्रा ऋषयो बृहद्व्रता:
सनन्दनाद्या नरदेव योगिन: ॥ १ ॥
Verse text
śrī-śuka uvāca
satyaṁ samīkṣyābja-bhavo nakhendubhir
hata-svadhāma-dyutir āvṛto ’bhyagāt
marīci-miśrā ṛṣayo bṛhad-vratāḥ
sanandanādyā nara-deva yoginaḥ
satyaṁ samīkṣyābja-bhavo nakhendubhir
hata-svadhāma-dyutir āvṛto ’bhyagāt
marīci-miśrā ṛṣayo bṛhad-vratāḥ
sanandanādyā nara-deva yoginaḥ
Synonyms
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; satyam — the planet Satyaloka; samīkṣya — by observing; abja-bhavaḥ — Lord Brahmā, who appeared on the lotus flower; nakha-indubhiḥ — by the effulgence of the nails; hata — having been reduced; sva-dhāma-dyutiḥ — the illumination of his own residence; āvṛtaḥ — being covered; abhyagāt — came; marīci-miśrāḥ — with sages like Marīci; ṛṣayaḥ — great saintly persons; bṛhat-vratāḥ — all of them absolutely brahmacārī; sanandana-ādyāḥ — like Sanaka, Sanātana, Sanandana and Sanat-kumāra; nara-deva — O King; yoginaḥ — greatly powerful mystics.
Translation
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: When Lord Brahmā, who was born of a lotus flower, saw that the effulgence of his residence, Brahmaloka, had been reduced by the glaring effulgence from the toenails of Lord Vāmanadeva, he approached the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Lord Brahmā was accompanied by all the great sages, headed by Marīci, and by yogīs like Sanandana, but in the presence of that glaring effulgence, O King, even Lord Brahmā and his associates seemed insignificant.
Devanagari
वेदोपवेदा नियमा यमान्विता-
स्तर्केतिहासाङ्गपुराणसंहिता: ।
ये चापरे योगसमीरदीपित-
ज्ञानाग्निना रन्धितकर्मकल्मषा: ॥ २ ॥
ववन्दिरे यत्स्मरणानुभावत:
स्वायम्भुवं धाम गता अकर्मकम् ।
अथाङ्घ्रये प्रोन्नमिताय विष्णो-
रुपाहरत् पद्मभवोऽर्हणोदकम् ।
समर्च्य भक्त्याभ्यगृणाच्छुचिश्रवा
यन्नाभिपङ्केरुहसम्भव: स्वयम् ॥ ३ ॥
स्तर्केतिहासाङ्गपुराणसंहिता: ।
ये चापरे योगसमीरदीपित-
ज्ञानाग्निना रन्धितकर्मकल्मषा: ॥ २ ॥
ववन्दिरे यत्स्मरणानुभावत:
स्वायम्भुवं धाम गता अकर्मकम् ।
अथाङ्घ्रये प्रोन्नमिताय विष्णो-
रुपाहरत् पद्मभवोऽर्हणोदकम् ।
समर्च्य भक्त्याभ्यगृणाच्छुचिश्रवा
यन्नाभिपङ्केरुहसम्भव: स्वयम् ॥ ३ ॥
Verse text
vedopavedā niyamā yamānvitās
tarketihāsāṅga-purāṇa-saṁhitāḥ
ye cāpare yoga-samīra-dīpita-
jñānāgninā randhita-karma-kalmaṣāḥ
tarketihāsāṅga-purāṇa-saṁhitāḥ
ye cāpare yoga-samīra-dīpita-
jñānāgninā randhita-karma-kalmaṣāḥ
vavandire yat-smaraṇānubhāvataḥ
svāyambhuvaṁ dhāma gatā akarmakam
athāṅghraye pronnamitāya viṣṇor
upāharat padma-bhavo ’rhaṇodakam
samarcya bhaktyābhyagṛṇāc chuci-śravā
yan-nābhi-paṅkeruha-sambhavaḥ svayam
svāyambhuvaṁ dhāma gatā akarmakam
athāṅghraye pronnamitāya viṣṇor
upāharat padma-bhavo ’rhaṇodakam
samarcya bhaktyābhyagṛṇāc chuci-śravā
yan-nābhi-paṅkeruha-sambhavaḥ svayam
Synonyms
veda — the four Vedas (Sāma, Yajur, Ṛg and Atharva), the original knowledge given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; upavedāḥ — the complementary and supplementary Vedic knowledge, like Āyur-veda and Dhanur-veda; niyamāḥ — regulative principles; yama — controlling processes; anvitāḥ — fully expert in such matters; tarka — logic; itihāsa — history; aṅga — Vedic education; purāṇa — old history recorded in the stories of the Purāṇas; saṁhitāḥ — Vedic complementary studies like the Brahma-saṁhitā; ye — others; ca — also; apare — other than Lord Brahmā and his associates; yoga-samīra-dīpita — ignited by the air of mystic yoga practice; jñāna-agninā — by the fire of knowledge; randhita-karma-kalmaṣāḥ — those for whom all pollution of fruitive activities has been stopped; vavandire — offered their prayers; yat-smaraṇa-anubhāvataḥ — simply by meditating on whom; svāyambhuvam — of Lord Brahmā; dhāma — the residence; gatāḥ — had achieved; akarmakam — which cannot be achieved by fruitive activities; atha — thereupon; aṅghraye — unto the lotus feet; pronnamitāya — offered obeisances; viṣṇoḥ — of Lord Viṣṇu; upāharat — offered worship; padma-bhavaḥ — Lord Brahmā, who appeared from the lotus flower; arhaṇa-udakam — oblation by water; samarcya — worshiping; bhaktyā — in devotional service; abhyagṛṇāt — pleased him; śuci-śravāḥ — the most celebrated Vedic authority; yat-nābhi-paṅkeruha-sambhavaḥ svayam — Lord Brahmā, who personally appeared from the lotus in the navel of whom (the Personality of Godhead).
Translation
Among the great personalities who came to worship the lotus feet of the Lord were those who had attained perfection in self-control and regulative principles, as well as experts in logic, history, general education and the Vedic literature known as kalpe [dealing with old historical incidents]. Others were experts in the Vedic corollaries like Brahma-saṁhitā, all the other knowledge of the Vedas [Sāma, Yajur, Ṛg and Atharva], and also the supplementary Vedic knowledge [Āyurveda, Dhanurveda, etc.]. Others were those who had been freed of the reactions to fruitive activities by transcendental knowledge awakened by practice of yoga. And still others were those who had attained residence in Brahmaloka not by ordinary karma but by advanced Vedic knowledge. After devotedly worshiping the upraised lotus feet of the Supreme Lord with oblations of water, Lord Brahmā, who was born of the lotus emanating from Lord Viṣṇu’s navel, offered prayers to the Lord.
Devanagari
धातु: कमण्डलुजलं तदुरुक्रमस्य
पादावनेजनपवित्रतया नरेन्द्र ।
स्वर्धुन्यभून्नभसि सा पतती निमार्ष्टि
लोकत्रयं भगवतो विशदेव कीर्ति: ॥ ४ ॥
पादावनेजनपवित्रतया नरेन्द्र ।
स्वर्धुन्यभून्नभसि सा पतती निमार्ष्टि
लोकत्रयं भगवतो विशदेव कीर्ति: ॥ ४ ॥
Verse text
dhātuḥ kamaṇḍalu-jalaṁ tad urukramasya
pādāvanejana-pavitratayā narendra
svardhuny abhūn nabhasi sā patatī nimārṣṭi
loka-trayaṁ bhagavato viśadeva kīrtiḥ
pādāvanejana-pavitratayā narendra
svardhuny abhūn nabhasi sā patatī nimārṣṭi
loka-trayaṁ bhagavato viśadeva kīrtiḥ
Synonyms
dhātuḥ — of Lord Brahmā; kamaṇḍalu-jalam — water from the kamaṇḍalu; tat — that; urukramasya — of Lord Viṣṇu; pāda-avanejana-pavitratayā — because of washing the lotus feet of Lord Viṣṇu and thus being transcendentally pure; nara-indra — O King; svardhunī — the river named Svardhunī of the celestial world; abhūt — so became; nabhasi — in outer space; sā — that water; patatī — flowing down; nimārṣṭi — purifying; loka-trayam — the three worlds; bhagavataḥ — of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; viśadā — so purified; iva — just like; kīrtiḥ — the fame or the glorious activities.
Translation
O King, the water from Lord Brahmā’s kamaṇḍalu washed the lotus feet of Lord Vāmanadeva, who is known as Urukrama, the wonderful actor. Thus that water became so pure that it was transformed into the water of the Ganges, which went flowing down from the sky, purifying the three worlds like the pure fame of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Purport
Here we understand that the Ganges began when the water from Lord Brahmā’s kamaṇḍalu washed the lotus feet of Lord Vāmanadeva. But in the Fifth Canto it is stated that the Ganges began when Vāmanadeva’s left foot pierced the covering of the universe so that the transcendental water of the Causal Ocean leaked through. And elsewhere it is also stated that Lord Nārāyaṇa appeared as the water of the Ganges. The water of the Ganges, therefore, is a combination of three transcendental waters, and thus the Ganges is able to purify the three worlds. This is the description given by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura.
Devanagari
ब्रह्मादयो लोकनाथा: स्वनाथाय समादृता: ।
सानुगा बलिमाजह्रु: सङ्क्षिप्तात्मविभूतये ॥ ५ ॥
सानुगा बलिमाजह्रु: सङ्क्षिप्तात्मविभूतये ॥ ५ ॥
Verse text
brahmādayo loka-nāthāḥ
sva-nāthāya samādṛtāḥ
sānugā balim ājahruḥ
saṅkṣiptātma-vibhūtaye
sva-nāthāya samādṛtāḥ
sānugā balim ājahruḥ
saṅkṣiptātma-vibhūtaye
Synonyms
brahma-ādayaḥ — great personalities, headed by Lord Brahmā; loka-nāthāḥ — the predominating deities of various planets; sva-nāthāya — unto their supreme master; samādṛtāḥ — with great respect; sa-anugāḥ — with their respective followers; balim — different paraphernalia of worship; ājahruḥ — collected; saṅkṣipta-ātma-vibhūtaye — unto the Lord, who had expanded His personal opulence but had now reduced His size to the Vāmana form.
Translation
Lord Brahmā and all the predominating deities of the various planetary systems began to worship Lord Vāmanadeva, their supreme master, who had reduced Himself from His all-pervading form to His original form. They collected all the ingredients and paraphernalia for this worship.
Purport
Vāmanadeva first expanded Himself to the universal form and then reduced Himself to the original Vāmana-rūpa. Thus He acted exactly like Lord Kṛṣṇa, who, at the request of Arjuna, first showed His universal form and later resumed His original form as Kṛṣṇa. The Lord can assume any form He likes, but His original form is that of Kṛṣṇa (kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam). According to the capacity of the devotee, the Lord assumes various forms so that the devotee can handle Him. This is His causeless mercy. When Lord Vāmanadeva resumed His original form, Lord Brahmā and his associates collected various paraphernalia for worship with which to please Him.
Devanagari
तोयै: समर्हणै: स्रग्भिर्दिव्यगन्धानुलेपनै: ।
धूपैर्दीपै: सुरभिभिर्लाजाक्षतफलाङ्कुरै: ॥ ६ ॥
स्तवनैर्जयशब्दैश्च तद्वीर्यमहिमाङ्कितै: ।
नृत्यवादित्रगीतैश्च शङ्खदुन्दुभिनि:स्वनै: ॥ ७ ॥
धूपैर्दीपै: सुरभिभिर्लाजाक्षतफलाङ्कुरै: ॥ ६ ॥
स्तवनैर्जयशब्दैश्च तद्वीर्यमहिमाङ्कितै: ।
नृत्यवादित्रगीतैश्च शङ्खदुन्दुभिनि:स्वनै: ॥ ७ ॥
Verse text
toyaiḥ samarhaṇaiḥ sragbhir
divya-gandhānulepanaiḥ
dhūpair dīpaiḥ surabhibhir
lājākṣata-phalāṅkuraiḥ
divya-gandhānulepanaiḥ
dhūpair dīpaiḥ surabhibhir
lājākṣata-phalāṅkuraiḥ
stavanair jaya-śabdaiś ca
tad-vīrya-mahimāṅkitaiḥ
nṛtya-vāditra-gītaiś ca
śaṅkha-dundubhi-niḥsvanaiḥ
tad-vīrya-mahimāṅkitaiḥ
nṛtya-vāditra-gītaiś ca
śaṅkha-dundubhi-niḥsvanaiḥ
Synonyms
toyaiḥ — by water required for washing the lotus feet and bathing; samarhaṇaiḥ — by pādya, arghya and other such items for worshiping the Lord; sragbhiḥ — by flower garlands; divya-gandha-anulepanaiḥ — by many kinds of pulp, like sandalwood and aguru, to smear upon the body of Lord Vāmanadeva; dhūpaiḥ — by incense; dīpaiḥ — by lamps; surabhibhiḥ — all of them extremely fragrant; lāja — by fried paddies; akṣata — by unbroken grains; phala — by fruits; aṅkuraiḥ — by roots and sprouts; stavanaiḥ — by offering prayers; jaya-śabdaiḥ — by saying “jaya, jaya”; ca — also; tat-vīrya-mahimā-aṅkitaiḥ — which indicated the glorious activities of the Lord; nṛtya-vāditra-gītaiḥ ca — by dancing, playing various musical instruments, and singing songs; śaṅkha — of vibrating conchshells; dundubhi — of the beating on kettledrums; niḥsvanaiḥ — by the sound vibrations.
Translation
They worshiped the Lord by offering fragrant flowers, water, pādya and arghya, sandalwood pulp and aguru pulp, incense, lamps, fused rice, unbroken grains, fruits, roots and sprouts. While so doing, they offered prayers indicating the glorious activities of the Lord and shouted “Jaya! Jaya!” They also danced, played instruments, sang, sounded conchshells and beat kettledrums, in this way worshiping the Lord.
Devanagari
जाम्बवानृक्षराजस्तु भेरीशब्दैर्मनोजव: ।
विजयं दिक्षु सर्वासु महोत्सवमघोषयत् ॥ ८ ॥
विजयं दिक्षु सर्वासु महोत्सवमघोषयत् ॥ ८ ॥
Verse text
jāmbavān ṛkṣa-rājas tu
bherī-śabdair mano-javaḥ
vijayaṁ dikṣu sarvāsu
mahotsavam aghoṣayat
bherī-śabdair mano-javaḥ
vijayaṁ dikṣu sarvāsu
mahotsavam aghoṣayat
Synonyms
Translation
Jāmbavān, king of the bears, also joined in the ceremony. Sounding his bugle in all directions, he declared a great festival for Lord Vāmanadeva’s victory.
Devanagari
महीं सर्वां हृतां दृष्ट्वा त्रिपदव्याजयाच्ञया ।
ऊचु: स्वभर्तुरसुरा दीक्षितस्यात्यमर्षिता: ॥ ९ ॥
ऊचु: स्वभर्तुरसुरा दीक्षितस्यात्यमर्षिता: ॥ ९ ॥
Verse text
mahīṁ sarvāṁ hṛtāṁ dṛṣṭvā
tripada-vyāja-yācñayā
ūcuḥ sva-bhartur asurā
dīkṣitasyātyamarṣitāḥ
tripada-vyāja-yācñayā
ūcuḥ sva-bhartur asurā
dīkṣitasyātyamarṣitāḥ
Synonyms
mahīm — land; sarvām — all; hṛtām — lost; dṛṣṭvā — after seeing; tri-pada-vyāja-yācñayā — by simply asking three steps of land; ūcuḥ — said; sva-bhartuḥ — of their master; asurāḥ — the demons; dīkṣitasya — of Bali Mahārāja, who was so determined in the sacrifice; ati — very much; amarṣitāḥ — for whom the function was unbearable.
Translation
When the demoniac followers of Mahārāja Bali saw that their master, who had been determined in performing sacrifice, had lost all his possessions to Vāmanadeva, who had taken them away on the plea of begging three paces of land, they were very angry and spoke as follows.
Devanagari
न वायं ब्रह्मबन्धुर्विष्णुर्मायाविनां वर: ।
द्विजरूपप्रतिच्छन्नो देवकार्यं चिकीर्षति ॥ १० ॥
द्विजरूपप्रतिच्छन्नो देवकार्यं चिकीर्षति ॥ १० ॥
Verse text
na vāyaṁ brahma-bandhur
viṣṇur māyāvināṁ varaḥ
dvija-rūpa-praticchanno
deva-kāryaṁ cikīrṣati
viṣṇur māyāvināṁ varaḥ
dvija-rūpa-praticchanno
deva-kāryaṁ cikīrṣati
Synonyms
na — not; vā — either; ayam — this; brahma-bandhuḥ — Vāmanadeva, in the form of a brāhmaṇa; viṣṇuḥ — He is Lord Viṣṇu Himself; māyāvinām — of all cheaters; varaḥ — the greatest; dvija-rūpa — by assuming the form of a brāhmaṇa; praticchannaḥ — is disguised for the purpose of cheating; deva-kāryam — the interest of the demigods; cikīrṣati — He is trying for.
Translation
“This Vāmana is certainly not a brāhmaṇa but the best of cheaters, Lord Viṣṇu. Assuming the form of a brāhmaṇa, He has covered His own form, and thus He is working for the interests of the demigods.
Devanagari
अनेन याचमानेन शत्रुणा वटुरूपिणा ।
सर्वस्वं नो हृतं भर्तुर्न्यस्तदण्डस्य बर्हिषि ॥ ११ ॥
सर्वस्वं नो हृतं भर्तुर्न्यस्तदण्डस्य बर्हिषि ॥ ११ ॥
Verse text
anena yācamānena
śatruṇā vaṭu-rūpiṇā
sarvasvaṁ no hṛtaṁ bhartur
nyasta-daṇḍasya barhiṣi
śatruṇā vaṭu-rūpiṇā
sarvasvaṁ no hṛtaṁ bhartur
nyasta-daṇḍasya barhiṣi
Synonyms
anena — by Him; yācamānena — who is in the position of a beggar; śatruṇā — by the enemy; vaṭu-rūpiṇā — in the form of a brahmacārī; sarvasvam — everything; naḥ — our; hṛtam — has been taken away; bhartuḥ — of our master; nyasta — had been given up; daṇḍasya — of whom the power of giving punishment; barhiṣi — because of taking the vow of a ritualistic ceremony.
Translation
“Our lord, Bali Mahārāja, because of his position in performing the yajña, has given up the power to punish. Taking advantage of this, our eternal enemy, Viṣṇu, dressed in the form of a brahmacārī beggar, has taken away all his possessions.
Devanagari
सत्यव्रतस्य सततं दीक्षितस्य विशेषत: ।
नानृतं भाषितुं शक्यं ब्रह्मण्यस्य दयावत: ॥ १२ ॥
नानृतं भाषितुं शक्यं ब्रह्मण्यस्य दयावत: ॥ १२ ॥
Verse text
satya-vratasya satataṁ
dīkṣitasya viśeṣataḥ
nānṛtaṁ bhāṣituṁ śakyaṁ
brahmaṇyasya dayāvataḥ
dīkṣitasya viśeṣataḥ
nānṛtaṁ bhāṣituṁ śakyaṁ
brahmaṇyasya dayāvataḥ
Synonyms
satya-vratasya — of Mahārāja Bali, who is fixed in truthfulness; satatam — always; dīkṣitasya — of he who was initiated into performing yajña; viśeṣataḥ — specifically; na — not; anṛtam — untruth; bhāṣitum — to speak; śakyam — is able; brahmaṇyasya — to the brahminical culture, or to the brāhmaṇa; dayā-vataḥ — of he who is always kind.
Translation
“Our lord, Bali Mahārāja, is always fixed in truthfulness, and this is especially so at present, since he has been initiated into performing a sacrifice. He is always kind and merciful toward the brāhmaṇas, and he cannot at any time speak lies.
Devanagari
तस्मादस्य वधो धर्मो भर्तु: शुश्रूषणं च न: ।
इत्यायुधानि जगृहुर्बलेरनुचरासुरा: ॥ १३ ॥
इत्यायुधानि जगृहुर्बलेरनुचरासुरा: ॥ १३ ॥
Verse text
tasmād asya vadho dharmo
bhartuḥ śuśrūṣaṇaṁ ca naḥ
ity āyudhāni jagṛhur
baler anucarāsurāḥ
bhartuḥ śuśrūṣaṇaṁ ca naḥ
ity āyudhāni jagṛhur
baler anucarāsurāḥ
Synonyms
tasmāt — therefore; asya — of this brahmacārī Vāmana; vadhaḥ — the killing; dharmaḥ — is our duty; bhartuḥ — of our master; śuśrūṣaṇam ca — and it is the way of serving; naḥ — our; iti — thus; āyudhāni — all kinds of weapons; jagṛhuḥ — they took up; baleḥ — of Bali Mahārāja; anucara — followers; asurāḥ — all the demons.
Translation
“Therefore it is our duty to kill this Vāmanadeva, Lord Viṣṇu. It is our religious principle and the way to serve our master.” After making this decision, the demoniac followers of Mahārāja Bali took up their various weapons with a view to killing Vāmanadeva.
Devanagari
ते सर्वे वामनं हन्तुं शूलपट्टिशपाणय: ।
अनिच्छन्तो बले राजन् प्राद्रवञ्जातमन्यव: ॥ १४ ॥
अनिच्छन्तो बले राजन् प्राद्रवञ्जातमन्यव: ॥ १४ ॥
Verse text
te sarve vāmanaṁ hantuṁ
śūla-paṭṭiśa-pāṇayaḥ
anicchanto bale rājan
prādravañ jāta-manyavaḥ
śūla-paṭṭiśa-pāṇayaḥ
anicchanto bale rājan
prādravañ jāta-manyavaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
O King, the demons, aggravated by their usual anger, took their lances and tridents in hand, and against the will of Bali Mahārāja they pushed forward to kill Lord Vāmanadeva.
Devanagari
तानभिद्रवतो दृष्ट्वा दितिजानीकपान् नृप ।
प्रहस्यानुचरा विष्णो: प्रत्यषेधन्नुदायुधा: ॥ १५ ॥
प्रहस्यानुचरा विष्णो: प्रत्यषेधन्नुदायुधा: ॥ १५ ॥
Verse text
tān abhidravato dṛṣṭvā
ditijānīkapān nṛpa
prahasyānucarā viṣṇoḥ
pratyaṣedhann udāyudhāḥ
ditijānīkapān nṛpa
prahasyānucarā viṣṇoḥ
pratyaṣedhann udāyudhāḥ
Synonyms
Translation
O King, when the associates of Lord Viṣṇu saw the soldiers of the demons coming forward in violence, they smiled. Taking up their weapons, they forbade the demons to continue their attempt.
Devanagari
नन्द: सुनन्दोऽथ जयो विजय: प्रबलो बल: ।
कुमुद: कुमुदाक्षश्च विष्वक्सेन: पतत्त्रिराट् ॥ १६ ॥
जयन्त: श्रुतदेवश्च पुष्पदन्तोऽथ सात्वत: ।
सर्वे नागायुतप्राणाश्चमूं ते जघ्नुरासुरीम् ॥ १७ ॥
कुमुद: कुमुदाक्षश्च विष्वक्सेन: पतत्त्रिराट् ॥ १६ ॥
जयन्त: श्रुतदेवश्च पुष्पदन्तोऽथ सात्वत: ।
सर्वे नागायुतप्राणाश्चमूं ते जघ्नुरासुरीम् ॥ १७ ॥
Verse text
nandaḥ sunando ’tha jayo
vijayaḥ prabalo balaḥ
kumudaḥ kumudākṣaś ca
viṣvaksenaḥ patattrirāṭ
vijayaḥ prabalo balaḥ
kumudaḥ kumudākṣaś ca
viṣvaksenaḥ patattrirāṭ
jayantaḥ śrutadevaś ca
puṣpadanto ’tha sātvataḥ
sarve nāgāyuta-prāṇāś
camūṁ te jaghnur āsurīm
puṣpadanto ’tha sātvataḥ
sarve nāgāyuta-prāṇāś
camūṁ te jaghnur āsurīm
Synonyms
nandaḥ sunandaḥ — the associates of Lord Viṣṇu such as Nanda and Sunanda; atha — in this way; jayaḥ vijayaḥ prabalaḥ balaḥ kumudaḥ kumudākṣaḥ ca viṣvaksenaḥ — as well as Jaya, Vijaya, Prabala, Bala, Kumada, Kumudākṣa and Viṣvaksena; patattri-rāṭ — Garuḍa, the king of the birds; jayantaḥ śrutadevaḥ ca puṣpadantaḥ atha sātvataḥ — Jayanta, Śrutadeva, Puṣpadanta and Sātvata; sarve — all of them; nāga-ayuta-prāṇāḥ — as powerful as ten thousand elephants; camūm — the soldiers of the demons; te — they; jaghnuḥ — killed; āsurīm — demoniac.
Translation
Nanda, Sunanda, Jaya, Vijaya, Prabala, Bala, Kumuda, Kumudākṣa, Viṣvaksena, Patattrirāṭ [Garuḍa], Jayanta, Śrutadeva, Puṣpadanta and Sātvata were all associates of Lord Viṣṇu. They were as powerful as ten thousand elephants, and now they began killing the soldiers of the demons.
Devanagari
हन्यमानान् स्वकान् दृष्ट्वा पुरुषानुचरैर्बलि: ।
वारयामास संरब्धान् काव्यशापमनुस्मरन् ॥ १८ ॥
वारयामास संरब्धान् काव्यशापमनुस्मरन् ॥ १८ ॥
Verse text
hanyamānān svakān dṛṣṭvā
puruṣānucarair baliḥ
vārayām āsa saṁrabdhān
kāvya-śāpam anusmaran
puruṣānucarair baliḥ
vārayām āsa saṁrabdhān
kāvya-śāpam anusmaran
Synonyms
Translation
When Bali Mahārāja saw that his own soldiers were being killed by the associates of Lord Viṣṇu, he remembered the curse of Śukrācārya and forbade his soldiers to continue fighting.
Devanagari
हे विप्रचित्ते हे राहो हे नेमे श्रूयतां वच: ।
मा युध्यत निवर्तध्वं न न: कालोऽयमर्थकृत् ॥ १९ ॥
मा युध्यत निवर्तध्वं न न: कालोऽयमर्थकृत् ॥ १९ ॥
Verse text
he vipracitte he rāho
he neme śrūyatāṁ vacaḥ
mā yudhyata nivartadhvaṁ
na naḥ kālo ’yam artha-kṛt
he neme śrūyatāṁ vacaḥ
mā yudhyata nivartadhvaṁ
na naḥ kālo ’yam artha-kṛt
Synonyms
Translation
O Vipracitti, O Rāhu, O Nemi, please hear my words! Don’t fight. Stop immediately, for the present time is not in our favor.
Devanagari
य: प्रभु: सर्वभूतानां सुखदु:खोपपत्तये ।
तं नातिवर्तितुं दैत्या: पौरुषैरीश्वर: पुमान् ॥ २० ॥
तं नातिवर्तितुं दैत्या: पौरुषैरीश्वर: पुमान् ॥ २० ॥
Verse text
yaḥ prabhuḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ
sukha-duḥkhopapattaye
taṁ nātivartituṁ daityāḥ
pauruṣair īśvaraḥ pumān
sukha-duḥkhopapattaye
taṁ nātivartituṁ daityāḥ
pauruṣair īśvaraḥ pumān
Synonyms
yaḥ prabhuḥ — that Supreme Person, the master; sarva-bhūtānām — of all living entities; sukha-duḥkha-upapattaye — for administering happiness and distress; tam — Him; na — not; ativartitum — to overcome; daityāḥ — O demons; pauruṣaiḥ — by human endeavors; īśvaraḥ — the supreme controller; pumān — a person.
Translation
O Daityas, by human efforts no one can supersede the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who can bring happiness and distress to all living entities.
Devanagari
यो नो भवाय प्रागासीदभवाय दिवौकसाम् ।
स एव भगवानद्य वर्तते तद्विपर्ययम् ॥ २१ ॥
स एव भगवानद्य वर्तते तद्विपर्ययम् ॥ २१ ॥
Verse text
yo no bhavāya prāg āsīd
abhavāya divaukasām
sa eva bhagavān adya
vartate tad-viparyayam
abhavāya divaukasām
sa eva bhagavān adya
vartate tad-viparyayam
Synonyms
yaḥ — the time factor, which represents the Supreme Personality of Godhead; naḥ — of us; bhavāya — for the improvement; prāk — formerly; āsīt — was situated; abhavāya — for the defeat; diva-okasām — of the demigods; saḥ — that time factor; eva — indeed; bhagavān — the representative of the Supreme Person; adya — today; vartate — is existing; tat-viparyayam — just the opposite of our favor.
Translation
The supreme time factor, which represents the Supreme Person, was previously in our favor and not in favor of the demigods, but now that same time factor is against us.
Devanagari
बलेन सचिवैर्बुद्ध्या दुर्गैर्मन्त्रौषधादिभि: ।
सामादिभिरुपायैश्च कालं नात्येति वै जन: ॥ २२ ॥
सामादिभिरुपायैश्च कालं नात्येति वै जन: ॥ २२ ॥
Verse text
balena sacivair buddhyā
durgair mantrauṣadhādibhiḥ
sāmādibhir upāyaiś ca
kālaṁ nātyeti vai janaḥ
durgair mantrauṣadhādibhiḥ
sāmādibhir upāyaiś ca
kālaṁ nātyeti vai janaḥ
Synonyms
balena — by material power; sacivaiḥ — by the counsel of ministers; buddhyā — by intelligence; durgaiḥ — by fortresses; mantra-auṣadha-ādibhiḥ — by mystic chanting or the influence of drugs and herbs; sāma-ādibhiḥ — by diplomacy and other such means; upāyaiḥ ca — by similar other attempts; kālam — the time factor, representing the Supreme Lord; na — never; atyeti — can overcome; vai — indeed; janaḥ — any person.
Translation
No one can surpass the time representation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead by material power, by the counsel of ministers, by intelligence, by diplomacy, by fortresses, by mystic mantras, by drugs, by herbs or by any other means.
Devanagari
भवद्भिर्निर्जिता ह्येते बहुशोऽनुचरा हरे: ।
दैवेनर्द्धैस्त एवाद्य युधि जित्वा नदन्ति न: ॥ २३ ॥
दैवेनर्द्धैस्त एवाद्य युधि जित्वा नदन्ति न: ॥ २३ ॥
Verse text
bhavadbhir nirjitā hy ete
bahuśo ’nucarā hareḥ
daivenarddhais ta evādya
yudhi jitvā nadanti naḥ
bahuśo ’nucarā hareḥ
daivenarddhais ta evādya
yudhi jitvā nadanti naḥ
Synonyms
bhavadbhiḥ — by all of you demons; nirjitāḥ — have been defeated; hi — indeed; ete — all these soldiers of the demigods; bahuśaḥ — in great number; anucarāḥ — followers; hareḥ — of Lord Viṣṇu; daivena — by providence; ṛddhaiḥ — whose opulence was increased; te — they (the demigods); eva — indeed; adya — today; yudhi — in the fight; jitvā — defeating; nadanti — are vibrating in jubilation; naḥ — us.
Translation
Previously, being empowered by providence, you defeated a great number of such followers of Lord Viṣṇu. But today those same followers, having defeated us, are roaring in jubilation like lions.
Purport
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.
Devanagari
एतान् वयं विजेष्यामो यदि दैवं प्रसीदति ।
तस्मात् कालं प्रतीक्षध्वं यो नोऽर्थत्वाय कल्पते ॥ २४ ॥
तस्मात् कालं प्रतीक्षध्वं यो नोऽर्थत्वाय कल्पते ॥ २४ ॥
Verse text
etān vayaṁ vijeṣyāmo
yadi daivaṁ prasīdati
tasmāt kālaṁ pratīkṣadhvaṁ
yo no ’rthatvāya kalpate
yadi daivaṁ prasīdati
tasmāt kālaṁ pratīkṣadhvaṁ
yo no ’rthatvāya kalpate
Synonyms
etān — all these soldiers of the demigods; vayam — we; vijeṣyāmaḥ — shall gain victory over them; yadi — if; daivam — providence; prasīdati — is in favor; tasmāt — therefore; kālam — that favorable time; pratīkṣadhvam — wait until; yaḥ — which; naḥ — our; arthatvāya kalpate — should be considered in our favor.
Translation
Unless providence is in our favor, we shall not be able to gain victory. Therefore we must wait for that favorable time when our defeating them will be possible.
Devanagari
श्रीशुक उवाच
पत्युर्निगदितं श्रुत्वा दैत्यदानवयूथपा: ।
रसां निर्विविशू राजन् विष्णुपार्षदताडिता: ॥ २५ ॥
पत्युर्निगदितं श्रुत्वा दैत्यदानवयूथपा: ।
रसां निर्विविशू राजन् विष्णुपार्षदताडिता: ॥ २५ ॥
Verse text
śrī-śuka uvāca
patyur nigaditaṁ śrutvā
daitya-dānava-yūthapāḥ
rasāṁ nirviviśū rājan
viṣṇu-pārṣada tāḍitāḥ
patyur nigaditaṁ śrutvā
daitya-dānava-yūthapāḥ
rasāṁ nirviviśū rājan
viṣṇu-pārṣada tāḍitāḥ
Synonyms
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca — Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said; patyuḥ — of their master (Bali Mahārāja); nigaditam — what had been thus described; śrutvā — after hearing; daitya-dānava-yūtha-pāḥ — the leaders of the Daityas and demons; rasām — the lower regions of the universe; nirviviśūḥ — entered; rājan — O King; viṣṇu-pārṣada — by the associates of Lord Viṣṇu; tāḍitāḥ — driven.
Translation
Śukadeva Gosvāmī continued: O King, in accordance with the order of their master, Bali Mahārāja, all the chiefs of the demons and the Daityas entered the lower regions of the universe, to which they were driven by the soldiers of Viṣṇu.
Devanagari
अथ तार्क्ष्यसुतो ज्ञात्वा विराट्प्रभुचिकीर्षितम् ।
बबन्ध वारुणै: पाशैर्बलिं सूत्येऽहनि क्रतौ ॥ २६ ॥
बबन्ध वारुणै: पाशैर्बलिं सूत्येऽहनि क्रतौ ॥ २६ ॥
Verse text
atha tārkṣya-suto jñātvā
virāṭ prabhu-cikīrṣitam
babandha vāruṇaiḥ pāśair
baliṁ sūtye ’hani kratau
virāṭ prabhu-cikīrṣitam
babandha vāruṇaiḥ pāśair
baliṁ sūtye ’hani kratau
Synonyms
atha — thereafter; tārkṣya-sutaḥ — Garuḍa; jñātvā — knowing; virāṭ — the king of birds; prabhu-cikīrṣitam — the desire of Lord Viṣṇu as Vāmanadeva; babandha — arrested; vāruṇaiḥ — belonging to Varuṇa; pāśaiḥ — by the ropes; balim — Bali; sūtye — when soma-rasa is taken; ahani — on the day; kratau — at the time of sacrifice.
Translation
Thereafter, on the day of soma-pāna, after the sacrifice was finished, Garuḍa, king of the birds, understanding the desire of his master, arrested Bali Mahārāja with the ropes of Varuṇa.
Purport
Garuḍa, the constant companion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, knows the confidential part of the Lord’s desire. Bali Mahārāja’s tolerance and devotion were undoubtedly superexcellent. Garuḍa arrested Bali Mahārāja to show the entire universe the greatness of the King’s tolerance.
Devanagari
हाहाकारो महानासीद् रोदस्यो: सर्वतोदिशम् ।
निगृह्यमाणेऽसुरपतौ विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना ॥ २७ ॥
निगृह्यमाणेऽसुरपतौ विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना ॥ २७ ॥
Verse text
hāhākāro mahān āsīd
rodasyoḥ sarvato diśam
nigṛhyamāṇe ’sura-patau
viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā
rodasyoḥ sarvato diśam
nigṛhyamāṇe ’sura-patau
viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā
Synonyms
hāhā-kāraḥ — a tumultuous roar of lamentation; mahān — great; āsīt — there was; rodasyoḥ — in both the lower and upper planetary systems; sarvataḥ — everywhere; diśam — all directions; nigṛhyamāṇe — because of being suppressed; asura-patau — when Bali Mahārāja, the King of the demons; viṣṇunā — by Lord Viṣṇu; prabhaviṣṇunā — who is the most powerful everywhere.
Translation
When Bali Mahārāja was thus arrested by Lord Viṣṇu, who is the most powerful, there was a great roar of lamentation in all directions throughout the upper and lower planetary systems of the universe.
Devanagari
तं बद्धं वारुणै: पाशैर्भगवानाह वामन: ।
नष्टश्रियं स्थिरप्रज्ञमुदारयशसं नृप ॥ २८ ॥
नष्टश्रियं स्थिरप्रज्ञमुदारयशसं नृप ॥ २८ ॥
Verse text
taṁ baddhaṁ vāruṇaiḥ pāśair
bhagavān āha vāmanaḥ
naṣṭa-śriyaṁ sthira-prajñam
udāra-yaśasaṁ nṛpa
bhagavān āha vāmanaḥ
naṣṭa-śriyaṁ sthira-prajñam
udāra-yaśasaṁ nṛpa
Synonyms
tam — unto him; baddham — who was so arrested; vāruṇaiḥ pāśaiḥ — by the ropes of Varuṇa; bhagavān — the Supreme Personality of Godhead; āha — said; vāmanaḥ — Vāmanadeva; naṣṭa-śriyam — unto Bali Mahārāja, who had lost his bodily luster; sthira-prajñam — but was all the same determined in his decision; udāra-yaśasam — the most magnanimous and celebrated; nṛpa — O King.
Translation
O King, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāmanadeva, then spoke to Bali Mahārāja, the most liberal and celebrated personality whom He had arrested with the ropes of Varuṇa. Bali Mahārāja had lost all bodily luster, but he was nonetheless fixed in his determination.
Purport
When one is bereft of all his possessions, he is certainly reduced in bodily luster. But although Bali Mahārāja had lost everything, he was fixed in his determination to satisfy Vāmanadeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In Bhagavad-gītā, such a person is called sthita-prajña. A pure devotee is never deviated from the service of the Lord, despite all difficulties and impediments offered by the illusory energy. Generally men who have wealth and opulence are famous, but Bali Mahārāja became famous for all time by being deprived of all his possessions. This is the special mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead toward His devotees. The Lord says, yasyāham anugṛhṇāmi hariṣye tad-dhanaṁ śanaiḥ. As the first installment of His special favor, the Lord takes away all the possessions of His devotee. A devotee, however, is never disturbed by such a loss. He continues his service, and the Lord amply rewards him, beyond the expectations of any common man.
Devanagari
पदानि त्रीणि दत्तानि भूमेर्मह्यं त्वयासुर ।
द्वाभ्यां क्रान्ता मही सर्वा तृतीयमुपकल्पय ॥ २९ ॥
द्वाभ्यां क्रान्ता मही सर्वा तृतीयमुपकल्पय ॥ २९ ॥
Verse text
padāni trīṇi dattāni
bhūmer mahyaṁ tvayāsura
dvābhyāṁ krāntā mahī sarvā
tṛtīyam upakalpaya
bhūmer mahyaṁ tvayāsura
dvābhyāṁ krāntā mahī sarvā
tṛtīyam upakalpaya
Synonyms
padāni — footsteps; trīṇi — three; dattāni — have been given; bhūmeḥ — of land; mahyam — unto Me; tvayā — by you; asura — O King of the demons; dvābhyām — by two steps; krāntā — have been occupied; mahī — all the land; sarvā — completely; tṛtīyam — for the third step; upakalpaya — now find the means.
Translation
O King of the demons, you have promised to give Me three steps of land, but I have occupied the entire universe with two steps. Now think about where I should put My third.
Devanagari
यावत् तपत्यसौ गोभिर्यावदिन्दु: सहोडुभि: ।
यावद् वर्षति पर्जन्यस्तावती भूरियं तव ॥ ३० ॥
यावद् वर्षति पर्जन्यस्तावती भूरियं तव ॥ ३० ॥
Verse text
yāvat tapaty asau gobhir
yāvad induḥ sahoḍubhiḥ
yāvad varṣati parjanyas
tāvatī bhūr iyaṁ tava
yāvad induḥ sahoḍubhiḥ
yāvad varṣati parjanyas
tāvatī bhūr iyaṁ tava
Synonyms
yāvat — as far as; tapati — is shining; asau — the sun; gobhiḥ — by the sunshine; yāvat — as long or as far as; induḥ — the moon; saha-uḍubhiḥ — with the luminaries or stars; yāvat — as far as; varṣati — are pouring rain; parjanyaḥ — the clouds; tāvatī — to that much distance; bhūḥ — land; iyam — this; tava — in your possession.
Translation
As far as the sun and moon shine with the stars and as far as the clouds pour rain, all the land throughout the universe is in your possession.
Devanagari
पदैकेन मयाक्रान्तो भूर्लोक: खं दिशस्तनो: ।
स्वर्लोकस्ते द्वितीयेन पश्यतस्ते स्वमात्मना ॥ ३१ ॥
स्वर्लोकस्ते द्वितीयेन पश्यतस्ते स्वमात्मना ॥ ३१ ॥
Verse text
padaikena mayākrānto
bhūrlokaḥ khaṁ diśas tanoḥ
svarlokas te dvitīyena
paśyatas te svam ātmanā
bhūrlokaḥ khaṁ diśas tanoḥ
svarlokas te dvitīyena
paśyatas te svam ātmanā
Synonyms
padā ekena — by one step only; mayā — by Me; ākrāntaḥ — have been covered; bhūrlokaḥ — the entire planetary system known as Bhūrloka; kham — the sky; diśaḥ — and all directions; tanoḥ — by My body; svarlokaḥ — the upper planetary system; te — in your possession; dvitīyena — by the second step; paśyataḥ te — while you were seeing; svam — your own; ātmanā — by Myself.
Translation
Of these possessions, with one step I have occupied Bhūrloka, and with My body I have occupied the entire sky and all directions. And in your presence, with My second step, I have occupied the upper planetary system.
Purport
According to the Vedic description of the planetary system, all the planets move from east to west. The sun, the moon and five other planets, such as Mars and Jupiter, orbit one above another. Vāmanadeva, however, expanding His body and extending His steps, occupied the entire planetary system.
Devanagari
प्रतिश्रुतमदातुस्ते निरये वास इष्यते ।
विश त्वं निरयं तस्माद् गुरुणा चानुमोदित: ॥ ३२ ॥
विश त्वं निरयं तस्माद् गुरुणा चानुमोदित: ॥ ३२ ॥
Verse text
pratiśrutam adātus te
niraye vāsa iṣyate
viśa tvaṁ nirayaṁ tasmād
guruṇā cānumoditaḥ
niraye vāsa iṣyate
viśa tvaṁ nirayaṁ tasmād
guruṇā cānumoditaḥ
Synonyms
Translation
Because you have been unable to give charity according to your promise, the rule is that you should go down to live in the hellish planets. Therefore, in accordance with the order of Śukrācārya, your spiritual master, now go down and live there.
Purport
It is said:
nārāyaṇa-parāḥ sarve
na kutaścana bibhyati
svargāpavarga-narakeṣv
api tulyārtha-darśinaḥ
na kutaścana bibhyati
svargāpavarga-narakeṣv
api tulyārtha-darśinaḥ
“Devotees solely engaged in the devotional service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, never fear any condition of life. For them the heavenly planets, liberation and the hellish planets are all the same, for such devotees are interested only in the service of the Lord.” (Bhāg. 6.17.28) A devotee engaged in the service of Nārāyaṇa is always in equilibrium. A devotee actually lives transcendentally. Although he may appear to have gone to hell or heaven, he does not live in either place; rather, he always lives in Vaikuṇṭha (sa guṇān samatītyaitān brahma-bhūyāya kalpate). Vāmanadeva asked Bali Mahārāja to go to the hellish planets, apparently just to show the entire universe how tolerant he was, and Bali Mahārāja did not hesitate to carry out the order. A devotee does not live alone. Of course, everyone lives with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but because the devotee is engaged in His service, he actually does not live in any material condition. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura says, kīṭa janma hao yathā tuyā dāsa. Thus he prays to take birth as an insignificant insect in the association of devotees. Because devotees are engaged in the service of the Lord, anyone who lives with them also lives in Vaikuṇṭha.
Devanagari
वृथा मनोरथस्तस्य दूर: स्वर्ग: पतत्यध: ।
प्रतिश्रुतस्यादानेन योऽर्थिनं विप्रलम्भते ॥ ३३ ॥
प्रतिश्रुतस्यादानेन योऽर्थिनं विप्रलम्भते ॥ ३३ ॥
Verse text
vṛthā manorathas tasya
dūraḥ svargaḥ pataty adhaḥ
pratiśrutasyādānena
yo ’rthinaṁ vipralambhate
dūraḥ svargaḥ pataty adhaḥ
pratiśrutasyādānena
yo ’rthinaṁ vipralambhate
Synonyms
vṛthā — without any good result; manorathaḥ — mental concoction; tasya — of him; dūraḥ — far away; svargaḥ — elevation to the higher planetary system; patati — falls down; adhaḥ — to a hellish condition of life; pratiśrutasya — things promised; adānena — being unable to give; yaḥ — anyone who; arthinam — a beggar; vipralambhate — cheats.
Translation
Far from being elevated to the heavenly planets or fulfilling one’s desire, one who does not properly give a beggar what he has promised falls down to a hellish condition of life.
Devanagari
विप्रलब्धो ददामीति त्वयाहं चाढ्यमानिना ।
तद् व्यलीकफलं भुङ्क्ष्व निरयं कतिचित् समा: ॥ ३४ ॥
तद् व्यलीकफलं भुङ्क्ष्व निरयं कतिचित् समा: ॥ ३४ ॥
Verse text
vipralabdho dadāmīti
tvayāhaṁ cāḍhya-māninā
tad vyalīka-phalaṁ bhuṅkṣva
nirayaṁ katicit samāḥ
tvayāhaṁ cāḍhya-māninā
tad vyalīka-phalaṁ bhuṅkṣva
nirayaṁ katicit samāḥ
Synonyms
vipralabdhaḥ — now I am cheated; dadāmi — I promise I shall give you; iti — thus; tvayā — by you; aham — I am; ca — also; āḍhya-māninā — by being very proud of your opulence; tat — therefore; vyalīka-phalam — as a result of cheating; bhuṅkṣva — you enjoy; nirayam — in hellish life; katicit — a few; samāḥ — years.
Translation
Being falsely proud of your possessions, you promised to give Me land, but you could not fulfill your promise. Therefore, because your promise was false, you must live for a few years in hellish life.
Purport
The false prestige of thinking “I am very rich, and I possess such vast property” is another side of material life. Everything belongs to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and no one else possesses anything. This is the real fact. īśāvāsyam idaṁ samaṁ yat kiñca jagatyāṁ jagat. Bali Mahārāja was undoubtedly the most exalted devotee, whereas previously he had maintained a misunderstanding due to false prestige. By the supreme will of the Lord, he now had to go to the hellish planets, but because he went there by the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he lived there more opulently than one could expect to live in the planets of heaven. A devotee always lives with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, engaging in His service, and therefore he is always transcendental to hellish or heavenly residences.
Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Eighth Canto, Twenty-first Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Bali Mahārāja Arrested by the Lord”