Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 2
Ūṣā-Haraṇa, Bāṇāsura’s Pride, and Aniruddha’s Capture
Prelude to Hari–Śaṅkara Conflict
श्रीशुक उवाच बाण: पुत्रशतज्येष्ठो बलेरासीन्महात्मन: । येन वामनरूपाय हरयेऽदायि मेदिनी ॥ तस्यौरस: सुतो बाण: शिवभक्तिरत: सदा । मान्यो वदान्यो धीमांश्च सत्यसन्धो दृढव्रत: । शोणिताख्ये पुरे रम्ये स राज्यमकरोत् पुरा ॥ तस्य शम्भो: प्रासादेन किङ्करा इव तेऽमरा: । सहस्रबाहुर्वाद्येन ताण्डवेऽतोषयन्मृडम् ॥ २ ॥
śrī-śuka uvāca bāṇaḥ putra-śata-jyeṣṭho baler āsīn mahātmanaḥ yena vāmana-rūpāya haraye ’dāyi medinī
Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: Bāṇa was the oldest of the hundred sons fathered by the great saint Bali Mahārāja, who gave the whole earth in charity to Lord Hari when He appeared as Vāmanadeva. Bāṇāsura, born from Bali’s semen, became a great devotee of Lord Śiva. His behavior was always respectable, and he was generous, intelligent, truthful and firm in his vows. The beautiful city of Śoṇitapura was under his dominion. Because Lord Śiva had favored him, the very demigods waited on Bāṇāsura like menial servants. Once, when Śiva was dancing his tāṇḍava-nṛtya, Bāṇa especially satisfied the lord by playing a musical accompaniment with his one thousand arms.
FAQs
Bāṇāsura is described as the son of Bali Mahārāja, a powerful ruler of the city Śoṇita, always devoted to Lord Śiva, and famed for his generosity, intelligence, truthfulness, and firm vows.
It identifies Bali as the great soul who offered the earth to Lord Hari when the Lord appeared as Vāmana, establishing Bali’s devotion and the divine context of Bāṇa’s lineage.
The verse highlights virtues—charity, truthfulness, steadiness in vows, and dedicated worship—encouraging consistent integrity and devotion alongside one’s responsibilities and position.