70 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 8, Ch. 11

TRANSLATION

Seeing the movements of time, those who are cognizant of the
real truth neither rejoice nor lament for different circumstances.
Therefore, because you are jubilant due to your victory, you
should be considered not very learned.

PURPORT

Bali Maharaja knew that Indra, King of heaven, was extremely power-
ful, certainly more powerful than he himself. Nonetheless, Bali Maharaja
challenged Indra by saying that Indra was not a very learned person. In

Bhagavad-gita (2.11) Krsna rebuked Arjuna by saying:

aSocyan anvasocas tvam
prajna-vadams ca bhdsase

gatasiin agatasims ca
ndnusocanti panditah

‘While speaking learned words, you are mourning for what is not wor-
thy of grief. Those who are wise lament neither for the living nor the
dead.” Thus as Krsna challenged Arjuna by saying that he was not a
pandita, or a learned person, Bali Maharaja also challenged King Indra
and his associates. In this material world, everything happens under the
influence of time. Consequently, for a learned person who sees how
things are taking place, there is no question of being sorry or happy be-
cause of the waves of material nature. After all, since we are being car-
ried away by these waves, what is the meaning of being jubilant or
morose? One who is fully conversant with the laws of nature is never
jubilant or morose because of nature’s activities. In Bhagavad-gita
(2.14), Krsna advises that one be tolerant: tams titiksasva bharata.
Following this advice of Krsna’s, one should not be morose or unhappy
because of circumstantial changes. This is the symptom of a devotee. A
devotee carries out his duty in Krsna consciousness and is never unhappy
in awkward circumstances. He has full faith that in such circumstances,
Krsna protects His devotee. Therefore a devotee never deviates from his
prescribed duty of devotional service. The material qualities of jubilation
and moroseness are present even in the demigods, who are very highly
