FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.15.36

बुभुजे च श्रियं स्वृद्धां द्विजदेवोपलम्भिताम् । कृतकृत्यमिवात्मानं मन्यमानो महामना: ॥ ३६ ॥
bubhuje ca śriyaṁ svṛddhāṁ
[bubhuje cha shriyam svriddhaam]
dvija-devopalambhitām
[dvija-devopalambhitaam]
kṛta-kṛtyam ivātmānaṁ
[krita-krityam ivaatmaanam]
manyamāno mahāmanāḥ
[manyamaano mahaamanaah]
bubhuje — enjoyed ca — also śriyam — opulence su-ṛddhām — prosperity dvija — of the brāhmaṇas deva — as good as the demigods upalambhitām — achieved because of the favor kṛta-kṛtyam — very satisfied by his activities iva — like that ātmānam — himself manyamānaḥ — thinking mahā-manāḥ — the great-minded.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
bubhuje ca śriyaṁ svṛddhāṁ
bubhuje
enjoyed
ca
also
śriyam
opulence
su-ṛddhām
prosperity
dvija-devopalambhitām
dvija
of the brāhmaṇas
deva
as good as the demigods
upalambhitām
achieved because of the favor
kṛta-kṛtyam ivātmānaṁ
kṛta-kṛtyam
very satisfied by his activities
iva
like that
ātmānam
himself
manyamāno mahāmanāḥ
manyamānaḥ
thinking
mahā-manāḥ
the great-minded.
Because of the favor of the brāhmaṇas, the great soul Bali Mahārāja, thinking himself very satisfied, became very opulent and prosperous and began to enjoy the kingdom.

The brāhmaṇas are called dvija-deva, and kṣatriyas are generally called nara-deva. The word deva actually refers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The brāhmaṇas guide human society in becoming happy by satisfying Lord Viṣṇu, and according to their advice, the kṣatriyas, who are called nara-deva, keep law and order so that other people, namely the vaiśyas and śūdras, may properly follow regulative principles. In this way, people are gradually elevated to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Eighth Canto, Fifteenth Chapter, of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, entitled “Bali Mahārāja Conquers the Heavenly Planets.”

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
The great soul, thinking himself successful, enjoyed the wealth and prosperity of the kingdom obtained through the brāhmaṇas. Dvija-deva means brāhmaṇas. Thus ends the commentary on the Fifteen Chapter of the Eighth Canto of the Bhāgavatam for the pleasure of the devotees, in accordance with the previous ācāryas. Chapter Sixteen The Payovrata
By the brāhmaṇas' favor, Bali thought himself satisfied, became opulent, and enjoyed the kingdom. Brāhmaṇas guide; kṣatriyas keep law; vaiśyas and śūdras follow. The varṇa-system gradually elevates society to kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Reflection Questions
  • Where am I 'satisfied' with an arrangement that requires the next dharmic step I am avoiding?
  • What role does my temperament fit in dharmic society — and am I performing it well?
📝 My note

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