Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 8
Vāmanadeva Praises Bali; the Measure of Three Steps; Śukrācārya Warns Against the Gift
तमायान्तं समालोक्य शूलपाणिं कृतान्तवत् । चिन्तयामास कालज्ञो विष्णुर्मायाविनां वर: ॥ ८ ॥
tam āyāntaṁ samālokya śūla-pāṇiṁ kṛtāntavat cintayām āsa kāla-jño viṣṇur māyāvināṁ varaḥ
Seeing Hiraṇyakaśipu coming forward bearing a trident in his hand like personified death, Lord Viṣṇu, the best of all mystics and the knower of the progress of time, thought as follows.
FAQs
This verse presents Viṣṇu as kālajña—fully aware of how events unfold according to divine time—so His actions are perfectly aligned with providence, not driven by fear or confusion.
The comparison emphasizes Śiva’s awe-inspiring, unstoppable presence when he advances with his trident—appearing as inevitable as death—highlighting the gravity of the moment in the narrative.
A devotee can cultivate patience and steadiness—acting responsibly while trusting divine timing—remembering that what seems urgent or frightening is still under the Lord’s perfect order.