Vamana Purana — Portents at Bali's Sacrifice, Shloka 17

Portents at Bali’s Sacrifice and the Kośakāra’s Son: The Power of Past Karma

Devanagari script

एवं च श्रुयते श्लोकः सतां कथयतां विभो सद्भावो ब्राह्मणेष्वेव कर्त्तव्यो भूतिमिच्छता दृश्यते हि तथा तच्च सत्यं ब्राह्मणसत्तम

Transliteration

evaṃ ca śruyate ślokaḥ satāṃ kathayatāṃ vibho sadbhāvo brāhmaṇeṣveva karttavyo bhūtimicchatā dṛśyate hi tathā tacca satyaṃ brāhmaṇasattama

Translation

And thus a verse is heard, O mighty one, as recited by the virtuous: ‘One who desires prosperity should cultivate true regard only toward brāhmaṇas.’ For it is indeed seen to be so; and this is true, O best of brāhmaṇas.

Speakers

• Contextually within Bali–Śukra dialogue; the maxim is cited as ‘heard among the virtuous’ (satāṃ kathayatām).

Primary Deities

• Vishnu (Vāmana, implicit)

Key Themes

• Brāhmaṇa-māhātmya
• Dharma of honoring brāhmaṇas
• Prosperity (bhūti) linked to ethical conduct
• Authority of tradition (śrūyate)
• Social-religious reciprocity (king–brāhmaṇa)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What does ‘sadbhāva toward brāhmaṇas’ mean in Purāṇic ethics?

It denotes more than ritual honor: sincere goodwill expressed through hospitality, protection, gifts, and deference to learning and restraint. In the Vāmana story, the ‘brāhmaṇa’ is also the divine in disguise, making sadbhāva simultaneously social dharma and theological recognition.

Is the phrase ‘brāhmaṇeṣv eva’ exclusionary?

In many Purāṇic subhāṣitas, ‘eva’ functions as emphasis (‘especially/indeed’) rather than absolute exclusion. The point is that brāhmaṇas, as custodians of Veda and ritual order, are a key locus where honoring dharma is believed to yield visible ‘bhūti’ (welfare) for rulers and households.

Why is ‘it is seen to be so’ (dṛśyate hi tathā) added?

It appeals to lived social observation: communities perceived stability and auspiciousness when learning, ritual, and ethical restraint were supported. The verse thus grounds a normative claim (should) in an empirical-cultural claim (is observed), strengthening its persuasive force in the narrative.