Vamana Purana — Bali's Sudarshana Worship, Shloka 21

Bali’s Worship of Sudarshana and Prahlada’s Teaching on Vishnu-Bhakti

Devanagari script

स चापि संस्मृतः प्राप्तः सुतलं दानवेश्वरः दृष्ट्वा तस्थौ महातेजाः सार्घपात्रो बलिस्तदा

Transliteration

sa cāpi saṃsmṛtaḥ prāptaḥ sutalaṃ dānaveśvaraḥ dṛṣṭvā tasthau mahātejāḥ sārghapātro balistadā

Translation

And he too, being remembered, came to Sutala—the lord of the Dānavas. Seeing (Bali), that great-splendored one stood there; and Bali at that time stood with a vessel for offerings in his hand.

Speakers

• Narrative frame (Pulastya’s discourse to Nārada continues); this verse is third-person narration within the frame.

Primary Deities

• Vishnu

Key Themes

• Remembrance (smaraṇa) as a summoning force
• Hospitality and ritual reception (argha)
• Aftermath of the Vāmana–Bali episode
• Daitya lineage as vehicle for dharma instruction

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "adbhuta", "secondaryRasa": "shanta", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

Who is the ‘dānaveśvara’ that arrives when remembered?

In this chapter’s flow, Bali remembers his grandsire Prahlāda; thus ‘dānaveśvara’ (“lord among Dānavas”) points to Prahlāda, famed for devotion and counsel within the Daitya line.

Why is Bali described as holding an argha-vessel?

The argha-pātra signifies formal reception of a revered guest (ātithi-satkāra). Even in Sutala, Bali maintains Vedic-ritual etiquette, underscoring dharma as conduct rather than mere status.

What is Sutala’s significance in the Vāmana–Bali narrative?

Sutala is the netherworld realm granted to Bali after Vāmana/Trivikrama’s three strides; it becomes a paradoxical ‘exile-as-grace’ space where Bali continues righteous rule under divine oversight.