Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 27
Vāmanadeva Praises Bali; the Measure of Three Steps; Śukrācārya Warns Against the Gift
तस्मात् त्रीणि पदान्येव वृणे त्वद् वरदर्षभात् । एतावतैव सिद्धोऽहं वित्तं यावत्प्रयोजनम् ॥ २७ ॥
tasmāt trīṇi padāny eva vṛṇe tvad varadarṣabhāt etāvataiva siddho ’haṁ vittaṁ yāvat prayojanam
لذلك، أيها الملك، يا أفضل المعطين للصدقة، لا أطلب منك إلا ثلاثة أقدام من الأرض. بهذا العطاء وحده أكون راضياً، لأن السعادة في القناعة بما هو لازم حقّاً.
FAQs
In this verse Vāmana requests only three steps, showing that a devotee (and the Lord’s own teaching) values necessity over greed; the ‘three steps’ also set the stage for the Lord measuring the universe and revealing His supremacy.
Vāmana emphasizes that wealth has value only when it serves a proper purpose; asking for a small, sufficient gift highlights contentment and exposes the futility of pride in possessions.
Keep goals and consumption need-based, practice charitable giving without ego, and measure success by dharma and devotion rather than accumulation.