Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 22
The Appearance of Vāmanadeva and His Arrival at Bali’s Sacrifice
ते ऋत्विजो यजमान: सदस्या हतत्विषो वामनतेजसा नृप । सूर्य: किलायात्युत वा विभावसु: सनत्कुमारोऽथ दिदृक्षया क्रतो: ॥ २२ ॥
te ṛtvijo yajamānaḥ sadasyā hata-tviṣo vāmana-tejasā nṛpa sūryaḥ kilāyāty uta vā vibhāvasuḥ sanat-kumāro ’tha didṛkṣayā kratoḥ
O King, because of Vāmanadeva’s bright effulgence, the priests, along with Bali Mahārāja and all the members of the assembly, were robbed of their splendor. Thus they began to ask one another whether the sun-god himself, Sanat-kumāra or the fire-god had personally come to see the sacrificial ceremony.
FAQs
This verse says Vāmana’s tejas was so overwhelming that the priests, Bali, and the entire assembly appeared to lose their own splendor, as if the Sun or fire-god had arrived.
Sanat-kumāra came out of didṛkṣā—eagerness to witness the extraordinary sacrifice where the Supreme Lord (as Vāmana) had appeared.
The verse reminds seekers that worldly brilliance is limited, while divine presence transforms everything—so one should prioritize devotion and sacred association over mere external prestige.