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
أيها الملك، لقد سُلب الكهنةُ وبالي اليَجْمان وأعضاءُ المجلس جميعًا بريقَهم أمام إشراق فامَنَديفا. فأخذوا يتساءلون: أهو إله الشمس بنفسه، أم سَنَتْكُمارا، أم إله النار قد جاء ليرى شعائر القربان؟
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.