From Srimad Bhagavatam

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SB 5.24.25: Bali Maharaja said: My grandfather Prahlada

Maharaja is the only person who understood his own

self-interest. Upon the death of Prahlada's father,

Hiranyakasipu, Lord Nrisimahadeva wanted to offer

Prahalda his father's kingdom and even wanted to grant him

liberation from material bondage, but Prahlada accepted neither.

Liberation and material opulence, he thought, are obstacles to

devotional service, and therefore such gifts from the Supreme

Personality of Godhead are not His actual mercy. Consequently, instead

of accepting the results of karma and jñana, Prahlada

Maharaja simply begged the Lord for engagement in the service

of His servant.

 

SB 5.24.26: Bali Maharaja said: Persons like us, who are

still attached to material enjoyment, who are contaminated by the modes

of material nature and who lack the mercy of the Supreme Personality of

Godhead, cannot follow the supreme path of Prahlada

Maharaja, the exalted devotee of the Lord.

 

SB 5.24.27: Sukadeva Gosvami; continued: My dear King,

how shall I glorify the character of Bali Maharaj The

Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of the three worlds, who is

most compassionate to His own devotee, stands with club in hand at Bali

Maharaja's door. When Ravana, the powerful demon,

came to gain victory over Bali Maharaja, Vamanadeva

kicked him a distance of eighty thousand miles with His big toe.

 

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