Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 30
Vāmanadeva Praises Bali; the Measure of Three Steps; Śukrācārya Warns Against the Gift
श्रीशुक्र उवाच एष वैरोचने साक्षाद् भगवान्विष्णुरव्यय: । कश्यपाददितेर्जातो देवानां कार्यसाधक: ॥ ३० ॥
śrī-śukra uvāca eṣa vairocane sākṣād bhagavān viṣṇur avyayaḥ kaśyapād aditer jāto devānāṁ kārya-sādhakaḥ
قال شُكراچاريا: يا ابنَ فيروتشَنا، إن هذا البراهمتشاري في هيئة القزم هو بعينه بهغافان فيشنو الذي لا يفنى. وقد اتخذ كشيابا أباً وأديتي أمّاً، وظهر الآن ليُتمّ مصلحة الديفات.
FAQs
This verse explicitly states that the person before Bali is sākṣāt Bhagavān Viṣṇu—Viṣṇu directly, the imperishable Supreme Lord.
Vairocana means “descendant of Virocana”; Śukadeva addresses Bali by his lineage to identify him clearly within the daitya dynasty during the Vāmana narrative.
The verse teaches discernment: behind changing situations may be a higher arrangement—cultivating humility, faith, and dharmic action even when outcomes challenge our plans.