TEXT 2
sri-balir uvaca
aho pranamaya krtah samudyamah
prapanna-bhaktartha-vidhau samahitah
yal loka-palais tvad-anugraho marair
alabdha-purvo pasade sure rpitah
SYNONYMS
sri-balih uvacaBali Maharaja said; ahoalas; pranamayato offer my respectful obeisances; krtahI did; samudyamahonly an endeavor; prapanna-bhakta-artha-vidhauin the regulative principles observed by pure devotees; samahitahis capable; yatthat; loka-palaihby the leaders of various planets; tvat-anugrahahYour causeless mercy; amaraihby the demigods; alabdha-purvahnot achieved previously; apasadeunto a fallen person like me; asurebelonging to the asura community; arpitahendowed.
TRANSLATION
Bali Maharaja said: What a wonderful effect there is in even attempting to offer respectful obeisances to You! I merely endeavored to offer You obeisances, but nonetheless the attempt was as successful as those of pure devotees. The causeless mercy You have shown to me, a fallen demon, was never achieved even by the demigods or the leaders of the various planets.
PURPORT
When Vamanadeva appeared before Bali Maharaja, Bali Maharaja immediately wanted to offer Him respectful obeisances, but he was unable to do so because of the presence of Sukracarya and other demoniac associates. The Lord is so merciful, however, that although Bali Maharaja did not actually offer obeisances but only endeavored to do so within his mind, the Supreme Personality of Godhead blessed him with more mercy than even the demigods could ever expect. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (2.40), svalpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat: Even a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is known as bhava-grahi janardana because He takes only the essence of a devotees attitude. If a devotee sincerely surrenders, the Lord, as the Supersoul in everyones heart, immediately understands this. Thus even though, externally, a devotee may not render full service, if he is internally sincere and serious the Lord welcomes his service nonetheless. Thus the Lord is known as bhava-grahi janardana because He takes the essence of ones devotional mentality.

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