198
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
[Canto 8, Ch. 23]
PURPORT
When Vāmanadeva appeared before Bali Mahārāja, Bali Mahārāja immediately wanted to offer Him respectful obeisances, but he was unable to do so because of the presence of Śukrācārya and other demoniac associates. The Lord is so merciful, however, that although Bali Mahārāja did not actually offer obeisances but only endeavored to do so within his mind, the Supreme Personality of Godhead blessed him with more mercy than even the demigods could ever expect. As confirmed in  Bhagavadgītā  (2.40),  svalpam apy asya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt : “Even a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.” The Supreme Personality of Godhead is known as  bhāva-grāhī janārdana  because He takes only the essence of a devotee’s attitude. If a devotee sincerely surrenders, the Lord, as the Supersoul in everyone’s heart, immediately understands this. Thus even though, externally, a devotee may not render full service, if he is internally sincere and serious the Lord welcomes his service nonetheless. Thus the Lord is known as  bhāva-grāhī janārdana  because He takes the essence of one’s devotional mentality.
TEXT 3
श्रीशुक उवाच
इत्युक्त्वा हरिमानत्य ब्रह्माणं सभवं ततः ।
विवेश सुतलं प्रीतो बलिर्मुक्तः सहासुरैः ॥ ३ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca 
    ity uktvā harim ānatya 
    brahmāṇam sabhavam tataḥ 
    viveśa sutalam prīto 
    balir muktaḥ sahāsuraiḥ
śrī-śukaḥ uvāca—Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said;  iti uktvā —saying this;  harim —unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari;  ānatya —offering obeisances;  brahmāṇam —unto Lord Brahmā;  sa-bhavam —with Lord Śiva;  tataḥ —thereafter;  viveśa —he entered;  sutalam —the planet Sutala;  prītaḥ —being fully satisfied;  baliḥ —Bali Mahārāja;  muktaḥ —thus released;  saha asuraiḥ —with his  asura  associates.