BHAGVAT, 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 24th July
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.
TRANSLATION
Previously, being empowered by providence, you defeated a great number of such followers of Lord Vishnu. But today those same followers, having defeated us, are roaring in jubilation like lions.
PURPORT
Bhagavad-gita mentions five causes of defeat or victory. Of these five, daiva (providence) is the most powerful (na ca daivat param balam). Bali Maharaja 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.
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.
TRANSLATION
Shukadeva Gosvami continued: O King, in accordance with the order of their master, Bali Maharaja, 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 Vishnu.
TRANSLATION
Thereafter, on the day of soma-pana, after the sacrifice was finished, Garuda, king of the birds, understanding the desire of his master, arrested Bali Maharaja with the ropes of Varuna.
PURPORT
Garuda, the constant companion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, knows the confidential part of the Lord's desire. Bali Maharaja's tolerance and devotion were undoubtedly super excellent. Garuda arrested Bali Maharaja to show the entire universe the greatness of the King's tolerance.
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 Shukracharya, your spiritual master, now go down and live there.
PURPORT
It is said:
"DEVOTEES SOLELY ENGAGED IN THE DEVOTIONAL SERVICE OF THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD, NARAYANA, 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." (Bhag. 6.17.28)
A DEVOTEE ENGAGED IN THE SERVICE OF NARAYANA 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 VAIKUNTHHA (sa gunan samatityaitan brahma-bhüyaya kalpate). VAMANADEVA ASKED BALI MAHARAJA TO GO TO THE HELLISH PLANETS, APPARENTLY JUST TO SHOW THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE HOW TOLERANT HE WAS, AND BALI MAHARAJA 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 Thakura says, kitha janma hao yatha tuya dasa. 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 VAIKUNTHHA.
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. Ishavasyam idam samam yat kinca jagatyam jagat. Bali Maharaja 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.
