110 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 8, Ch. 20
TRANSLATION

Sri Sukadeva Gosvami continued: Thereafter, the spiritual
master, Sukracarya, being inspired by the Supreme Lord, cursed
his exalted disciple Bali Maharaja, who was so magnanimous and
fixed in truthfulness that instead of respecting his spiritual
master’s instructions, he wanted to disobey his order.

PURPORT

The difference between the behavior of Bali Maharaja and that of his
spiritual master, Sukracdrya, was that Bali Maharaja had already
developed love of Godhead, whereas Sukracarya, being merely a priest of
routine rituals, had not. Thus Sukracdrya was never inspired by the
Supreme Personality of Godhead to develop in devotional service. As
stated by the Lord Himself in Bhagavad-gita (10.10):

tesdm satata-yuktanam
bhajatam priti-pirvakam
dadaémi buddhi-yogam tam
yena mdm upayanti te
“To those who are constantly devoted and worship Me with love, I give
the understanding by which they can come to Me.”

Devotees who actually engage in devotional service with faith and love
are inspired by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Vaisnavas are
never concerned with ritualistic smdrta-brahmanas. Srila Sanatana
Gosvami has therefore compiled Hari-bhakti-vildsa to guide the
Vaisnavas, who never follow the smdrta-viddhi. Although the Supreme
Lord is situated in the core of everyone’s heart, unless one is a Vaisnava,
unless one is engaged in devotional service, one does not get sound advice
by which to return home, back to Godhead. Such instructions are meant
only for devotees. Therefore in this verse the word daiva-prahitah,
“being inspired by the Supreme Lord,” is important. Sukracarya should
have encouraged Bali Maharaja to give everything to Lord Visnu. This
would have been a sign of love for the Supreme Lord. But he did not do
so. On the contrary, he wanted to punish his devoted disciple by cursing
him.
