102 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 8, Ch. 20
TRANSLATION
Dadhici, Sibi and many other great personalities were willing to
sacrifice even their lives for the benefit of the people in general.
This is the evidence of history. So why not give up this insignifi-
cant land? What is the serious consideration against it?
PURPORT
_ Bali Maharaja was prepared to give everything to Lord Visnu, and
Sukracarya, being a professional priest, might have been anxiously wait-
ing, doubting whether there had been any such instance in history in
which one had given everything in charity. Bali Maharaja, however,
cited the tangible examples of Maharaja Sibi and Maharaja Dadhici, who
had given up their lives for the benefit of the general public. Certainly
one has attachment for everything material, especially one’s land, but
land and other possessions are forcibly taken away at the time of death,
as stated in Bhagavad-gita (mrtyuh sarva-haras caham). The Lord per-
sonally appeared to Bali Maharaja to take away everything he had, and
thus he was so fortunate that he could see the Lord face to face. Non-
devotees, however, cannot see the Lord face to face; to such persons the
Lord appears as death and takes away all their possessions by force.
Under the circumstances, why should we not part with our possessions
and deliver them to Lord Visnu for His satisfaction? Sri Canakya Pandita
says in this regard, san-nimitte varam tydgo vindse niyate sati
(Canakya-sloka 36). Since our money and possessions do not last but
will somehow or other be taken away, as long as they are in our posses-
sion it is better to use them for charity to a noble cause. Therefore Bali
Maharaja defied the order of his so-called spiritual master.
TEXT 8
Utd TA waetaegefrafith: |
at Bre STA TET A TASH TS BAT <
yair iyam bubhuje brahman
daityendrair anivartibhih
tesa kalo ‘grasil lokan
na yaso ‘dhigatam bhuvi
