FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.11.48

बलिश्चोशनसा स्पृष्ट: प्रत्यापन्नेन्द्रियस्मृति: । पराजितोऽपि नाखिद्यल्ल‍ोकतत्त्वविचक्षण: ॥ ४८ ॥
baliś cośanasā spṛṣṭaḥ
[balish choshanasaa sprishtah]
pratyāpannendriya-smṛtiḥ
[pratyaapannendriya-smritih]
parājito ’pi nākhidyal
[paraajito ’pi naakhidyal]
loka-tattva-vicakṣaṇaḥ
[loka-tattva-vichakshanah]
baliḥ — Mahārāja Bali ca — also uśanasā — by Śukrācārya spṛṣṭaḥ — being touched pratyāpanna — was brought back indriya-smṛtiḥ — realization of the actions of the senses and memory parājitaḥ — he was defeated api — although na akhidyat — he did not lament loka-tattva-vicakṣaṇaḥ — because he was very experienced in universal affairs.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
baliś cośanasā spṛṣṭaḥ
baliḥ
Mahārāja Bali
pratyāpannendriya-smṛtiḥ
parājito ’pi nākhidyal
loka-tattva-vicakṣaṇaḥ
ca
also
uśanasā
by Śukrācārya
spṛṣṭaḥ
being touched
pratyāpanna
was brought back
indriya-smṛtiḥ
realization of the actions of the senses and memory
parājitaḥ
he was defeated
api
although
na akhidyat
he did not lament
loka-tattva-vicakṣaṇaḥ
because he was very experienced in universal affairs.
Bali Mahārāja was very experienced in universal affairs. When he regained his senses and memory by the grace of Śukrācārya, he could understand everything that had happened. Therefore, although he had been defeated, he did not lament.

It is significant that Bali Mahārāja is here said to be very experienced. Although defeated, he was not at all sorry, for he knew that nothing can take place without the sanction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Since he was a devotee, he accepted his defeat without lamentation. As stated by the Supreme Personality of Godhead in Bhagavad-gītā (2.47) , karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana. Everyone in Kṛṣṇa consciousness should execute his duty, without regard for victory or defeat. One must execute his duty as ordered by Kṛṣṇa or His representative, the spiritual master. Ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanaṁ bhaktir uttamā . In first-class devotional service, one always abides by the orders and will of Kṛṣṇa.

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Eighth Canto, Eleventh Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “King Indra Annihilates the Demons.”

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Bali, treated by Śukrācarya, regained his senses and memory, but did not lament his defeat, since he understood the nature of the world. Thus ends the commentary on the Eleventh Chapter of the Eighth Canto of the Bhāgavatam for the pleasure of the devotees, in accordance with the previous ācāryas. Chapter Twelve Bewilderment of Śiva
Bali regained memory and understood — yet did not lament. He knew nothing happens without the Lord's sanction. Even a demon king with this understanding accepts defeat as karma's arrangement. Acceptance is not a devotee monopoly.
Reflection Questions
  • Where am I still lamenting a defeat that, under Bali's view, requires acceptance?
  • Can I match this 'demon king' in equanimity, or am I more agitated than he was?
📝 My note

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