Shloka 13

Brahmā Worships Vāmana; the Demons Attack; Bali is Bound and Questioned About the Third Step

Devanagari script

तस्मादस्य वधो धर्मो भर्तु: शुश्रूषणं च न: । इत्यायुधानि जगृहुर्बलेरनुचरासुरा: ॥ १३ ॥

Transliteration

tasmād asya vadho dharmo bhartuḥ śuśrūṣaṇaṁ ca naḥ ity āyudhāni jagṛhur baler anucarāsurāḥ

Translation

Deshalb ist es unsere Pflicht, diesen Vāmanadeva, Lord Viṣṇu, zu töten. Das ist unser religiöses Prinzip und der Weg, unserem Meister zu dienen. Nachdem sie diese Entscheidung getroffen hatten, griffen die dämonischen Anhänger von Bali Mahārāja zu ihren Waffen, um Vāmanadeva zu töten.

Synonyms

tasmāttherefore; from that (reason)

asyaof him

vadhaḥkilling; slaying

dharmaḥduty; righteousness

bhartuḥof (our) lord

śuśrūṣaṇamservice; obedience

caand

naḥfor us / our

itithus

āyudhāniweapons

jagṛhuḥthey seized/took up

baleḥof Bali

anucarāḥfollowers; attendants

asurāḥdemons

Characters & Entities

Vāmana

Bali Mahārāja

Asuras (Bali's attendants)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about dharma when it is mixed with violence and ego?

This verse shows how the Asuras label violence as “dharma” to defend their master, illustrating that duty without devotion and right understanding can become distorted and opposed to the Lord.

Why did Bali Maharaja’s attendants decide to attack Vāmana?

Seeing Vāmana as an obstacle to Bali’s position and victory, they justified attacking Him as their duty to protect and serve their master, and therefore seized their weapons.

Practical application of this teaching in modern life?

Before calling something “duty,” examine whether it aligns with truth, compassion, and service to God; loyalty or ideology without discernment can lead to harmful actions.