Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 8 Chapter 22 Verse 24

Canto 8: Withdrawal of the Cosmic Creations | Chapter 22: Bali Mahārāja Surrenders His Life

Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 8.22.24

śrī-bhagavān uvāca

brahman yam anugṛhṇāmi

tad-viśo vidhunomy aham

yan-madaḥ puruṣaḥ stabdho

lokaḿ māḿ cāvamanyate

SYNONYMS

śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; brahman — O Lord Brahmā; yam — unto anyone to whom; anugṛhṇāmi — I show My mercy; tat — his; viśaḥ — material opulence or riches; vidhunomi — take away; aham — I; yat-madaḥ — having false prestige due to this money; puruṣaḥ — such a person; stabdhaḥ — being dull-minded; lokam — the three worlds; mām ca — unto Me also; avamanyate — derides.

TRANSLATION

The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Lord Brahmā, 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.

PURPORT

A civilization that has become godless because of material advancement in opulence is extremely dangerous. Because of great opulence, a materialist becomes so proud that he has no regard for anyone and even refuses to accept the authority of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The result of such a mentality is certainly very dangerous. To show special favor, the Lord sometimes makes an example of someone like Bali Mahārāja, who was now bereft of all his possessions.

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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness