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TEXT 8
yair iyam bubhuje brahman
daityendrair anivartibhih
tesam kalo ’grasil lokan
na yaso ’dhigatam bhuvi
SYNONYMS
yaih—by whom; iyam—this world; bubhuje—was enjoyed; brahman—O best of the brahmanas; daitya-indraih—by great heroes and kings born in demoniac families; anivartibhih—by those who were determined to fight, either to lay down their lives or to win victory; tesam—of such persons; kalah—the time factor; agrasit—took away; lokan—all possessions, all objects of enjoyment; na—not; yasah—the reputation; adhigatam—achieved; bhuvi—in this world.
TRANSLATION
O best of the brahmanas, certainly the great demoniac kings who were never reluctant to fight enjoyed this world, but in due course of time everything they had was taken away, except their reputation, by which they continue to exist. In other words, one should try to achieve a good reputation instead of anything else.
PURPORT
In this regard, Canakya Pandita (Canakya-sloka 34) also says, ayusah ksana eko ’pi na labhya svarna-kotibhih. The duration of one’s life is extremely short, but if in that short lifetime one can do something that enhances his good reputation, that may continue to exist for many millions of years. Bali Maharaja therefore decided not to follow his spiritual master’s instruction that he deny his promise to Vamanadeva; instead, he decided to give the land according to the promise and be everlastingly celebrated as one of the twelve mahajanas (balir vaiyasakir vayam).
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