SB 8.22.24
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT 24
- śrī-bhagavān uvāca
- brahman yam anugṛhṇāmi
- tad-viśo vidhunomy aham
- yan-madaḥ puruṣaḥ stabdho
- lokaṁ māṁ cāvamanyate
SYNONYMS
śrī-bhagavān uvāca — the Supreme Personality of Godhead said; brahman — O Lord Brahmā; yam — unto anyone to whom; anugṛhṇāmi — I show My mercy; tat — his; viśaḥ — material opulence or riches; vidhunomi — take away; aham — I; yat-madaḥ — having false prestige due to this money; puruṣaḥ — such a person; stabdhaḥ — being dull-minded; lokam — the three worlds; mām ca — unto Me also; avamanyate — derides.
TRANSLATION
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Lord Brahmā, 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.
PURPORT
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 Mahārāja, who was now bereft of all his possessions.