Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 19
Vāmanadeva Praises Bali; the Measure of Three Steps; Śukrācārya Warns Against the Gift
मां वचोभि: समाराध्य लोकानामेकमीश्वरम् । पदत्रयं वृणीते योऽबुद्धिमान् द्वीपदाशुषम् ॥ १९ ॥
māṁ vacobhiḥ samārādhya lokānām ekam īśvaram pada-trayaṁ vṛṇīte yo ’buddhimān dvīpa-dāśuṣam
لقد أرضيتني بكلماتك العذبة، وأنا الإله الواحد لسكان العوالم، ثم لا تطلب إلا ثلاث خطوات من الأرض؛ فهذا ليس من تمام العقل. أنا مالكُ أقسام الكون الثلاثة، وأستطيع أن أمنحك جزيرةً كاملة.
According to Vedic understanding, the entire universe is regarded as an ocean of space. In that ocean there are innumerable planets, and each planet is called a dvīpa, or island. When approached by Lord Vāmanadeva, Bali Mahārāja was actually in possession of all the dvīpas, or islands in space. Bali Mahārāja was very pleased to see the features of Vāmanadeva and was ready to give Him as much land as He could ask, but because Lord Vāmanadeva asked only three paces of land, Bali Mahārāja considered Him not very intelligent.
FAQs
This verse criticizes merely verbal worship: after praising the Supreme Lord, a person still asks for a trivial material favor, revealing a lack of real understanding and surrender.
In the Vāmana–Bali episode, the Lord challenges the mentality of offering and asking: He exposes the contradiction of addressing Him as the Supreme Lord yet treating Him like an ordinary, limited human who can be satisfied by small gifts.
Align prayers with purpose: instead of only asking for small, temporary gains, cultivate sincere devotion and request what deepens character, dharma, and remembrance of God.