श्रीभगवानुवाच
ब्रह्मन्यमनुगृह्णामि तद्विशो विधुनोम्यहम् ।
यन्मदः पुरुषः स्तब्धो लोकं मां चावमन्यते ॥ २४ ॥
yan-madah purusah stabdho
sri-bhagavan uvaca-the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; brahman-O Lord Brahma; yam-unto anyone to whom; anugrhnami-I show My mercy; tat-his; visah-material opulence or riches; vidhunomi-take away; aham-I; yat-madah-having false prestige due to this money; purusah-such a person; stabdhah-being dull-minded; lokam-the three worlds; mam ca-unto Me also; avamanyate-derides.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Lord Brahma, because of material opulence a foolish person becomes dull-witted and mad. Thus he has no respect for anyone within the three worlds and defies even My authority. To such a person I show special favor by first taking away all his possessions.
A civilization that has become godless because of material advancement in opulence is extremely dangerous. Because of great opulence, a materialist becomes so proud that he has no regard for anyone and even refuses to accept the authority of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The result of such a mentality is certainly very dangerous. To show special favor, the Lord sometimes makes an example of someone like Bali Maharaja, who was now bereft of all his possessions.