Bhagvat 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.
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.
TRANSLATION
Dadhichi, Shibi 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 Vishnu, and Shukracharya, 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 Shibi and Maharaja Dadhichi, 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 (mrtyum sarva-harash 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 Vishnu for His satisfaction? Shri Chanakya Pandita says in this regard, san-nimitte varam tyago vinashe niyate sati (Canakya-shloka 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.
