TEXT 12
yadyapy asav adharmena
mam badhniyad anagasam
tathapy enam na himsisye
bhitam brahma-tanum ripum
SYNONYMS
yadyapialthough; asauLord Visnu; adharmenacrookedly, without reference to the straight way; mamme; badhniyatkills; anagasamalthough I am not sinful; tathapistill; enamagainst Him; nanot; himsisyeI shall take any retaliation; bhitambecause He is afraid; brahma-tanumhaving assumed the form of a brahmana-brahmacari; ripumeven though He is my enemy.
TRANSLATION
Although He is Visnu Himself, out of fear He has covered Himself in the form of a brahmana to come to me begging. Under the circumstances, because He has assumed the form of a brahmana, even if He irreligiously arrests me or even kills me, I shall not retaliate, although He is my enemy.
PURPORT
If Lord Visnu as He is had come to Bali Maharaja and asked him to do something, Bali Maharaja certainly would not have refused His request. But to enjoy a little humor between Himself and His devotee, the Lord covered Himself as a brahmana-brahmacari and thus came to Bali Maharaja to beg for only three feet of land.

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