In Vamana avatara, it is said that Bhagavan removed the pride of Bali (garva bhanga).
What pride did he remove? Was Bali proud that he had a lot of money? Or was he
proud that he was the Lord of all the worlds. Well, many kings and emperors have
wealth, money, and power. It was not that.
Bali thought, “I am a satyasandhan – I never fail to keep my word always! I am very
charitable; I never turn away anyone who comes to me!”
Bhagavan said, “Yes you are always true to your word and are an epitome of generosity.
But that is because of My grace. It is because I have willed so!”
So it is that pride of Bali – that he had all these wonderful qualities – that Bhagavan
removed. Bhagavan came to show him that his steadfastness in the truth was because
Bhagavan willed so; it was because of His grace that Bali was a satyasandha! His
inclination to charity was not Bali’s quality; it was because of Bhagavan’s grace. That is
the ‘garva-bhanga’ that He did.
Pointing this out, Sri Swamiji beautifully explains that if we have any good quality, it is
not our greatness; but it is Bhagavan’s grace. If we are charitable by nature, it is
Bhagavan’s grace. If we value speaking the truth, it is Bhagavan’s grace. If we have a
little vairagya, it is Bhagavan’s grace. If we are able to keep the ekadasi vratha, it is
Bhagavan’s grace. If we do a little puja, it is because of Bhagavan’s grace. If we go to
visit holy kshetras, it is because of Bhagavan’s grace. If we chant a few Namas, it is
Bhagavan’s grace. We need to remember this always.
If we think that all this is because of our ability or astuteness, Bhagavan is showing us
that that is not so. We have these qualities because He has willed or blessed us with those.
A human being should not feel any pride about his qualities or abilities. I did not create
this body. I did not create this world. I was not born out of our will. I have no control on
my life. What is there then for me to be proud about? Even great mahans and jnanis,
when they speak, say “By Bhagavan’s grace”, “by Krishna’s Krupa” for everything! How
can we then say, “I, I, I,” all the time? If we do, Bhagavan can even wipe it all away in a
moment if He so wills. We must be humble and understand that it is all Bhagavan’s. We
need to remember that always.
Sri Swamiji says compassionately, “If you don’t feel it, at least practice saying it with
words. ‘It is because of Krishna krupa that I chanted Nama.’ ‘It is because of Krishna
krupa that I do namaskaram.’ ‘It is because of Krishna krupa that I am living happily.’
Include ‘Bhagavan’s grace, Krishna’s Krupa’ in front of everything as the first step!”
As we keep reiterating this to ourselves out loud, slowly the realization of the truth of
that fact shall flower within us, also by His grace!
Based on Sri Swamiji’s discourse
By Nisha Sriram, Houston, TX
Illustration: Rangoli by Lalitha Raman, Richmond, VA
**************************************************
Click here to go back to Apr 2026 newsletter contents page:
https://godivinity.org/newsletters/nama-dwaar-newsletter-april-2026/
