Shloka 167
The Manifestation of Viṣṇu’s Footprints: Vāmana–Trivikrama, Bāṣkali’s Subjugation, and the Rise of Viṣṇupadī
Gaṅgā
त्रपाकरं भवेन्मह्यं यदस्य भूपदत्रयम् । इंद्र उवाच । सत्यमेतद्दानवेन्द्र यदुक्तं भवता हि मे
trapākaraṃ bhavenmahyaṃ yadasya bhūpadatrayam | iṃdra uvāca | satyametaddānavendra yaduktaṃ bhavatā hi me
„Es wäre mir eine Schande, wenn er drei ‚Schritte Erde‘ erhielte.“ Indra sprach: „Wahrlich, o Herr der Dānavas, so ist es — was du mir gesagt hast.“
Indra (with a preceding line spoken by another speaker, likely Bali as ‘Dānavendra’)
Concept: Even kings of heaven are bound by truth and the moral weight of words; acknowledging another’s correct speech is itself a form of dharma.
Application: Admit when another is right, even if it threatens your status; let truth override ego-driven reputation management.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: raudra
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"Indra, crowned and radiant yet visibly troubled, speaks with a furrowed brow as he admits the truth of the Dānava-lord’s words. Behind him, the celestial court glitters, but the mood is tense—honor and cosmic law collide in a single sentence.","primary_figures":["Indra","Dānavendra (Bali implied)","celestial attendants (Gandharvas/Maruts)"],"setting":"Amarāvatī court with jeweled pillars, cloud-throne, and banners; a distant hint of the cosmic horizon suggesting the ‘three steps’ scale.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["electric gold","cloud white","sapphire blue","ruby red","pearl gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Indra on a gemmed throne with gold leaf aura, expression conflicted; opposite him the dignified Dānavendra; ornate pillars, rich reds and greens, embossed gold detailing, traditional celestial iconography with flying attendants and stylized clouds.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: refined faces showing subtle tension; Indra’s hand raised in assent, Dānavendra composed; cool blues and soft whites for clouds, delicate jewelry detailing, lyrical palace architecture with airy balconies.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: Indra with bold outlined crown and wide expressive eyes, posture slightly tense; warm yellow-gold background, red and green costume blocks, stylized cloud motifs and palace arches.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: celestial court framed by lotus borders; symbolic three footprints motif woven into the background; deep blue field with gold highlights, peacock and floral filigree emphasizing divine order over royal pride."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["conch shell (soft)","celestial chimes","wind through clouds","brief tense silence","distant drum pulse"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: भवेन्मह्यं → भवेत् + मह्यम्; भूपदत्रयम् → भू + पदत्रयम्; सत्यमेतत् → सत्यम् + एतत्; यदुक्तं → यत् + उक्तम्.
FAQs
It alludes to the Vāmana/Trivikrama motif—Viṣṇu measuring the worlds in three strides, a theme often invoked when discussing Bali, Indra, and cosmic sovereignty.
“Dānavendra” means “lord of the Dānavas” and commonly refers to Bali in Purāṇic dialogue contexts; here Indra affirms what that Dānava-king has told him.
The verse highlights the tension between ego/status and dharma: Indra’s concern about “shame” signals how pride and fear of losing prestige can shape decisions, contrasted with the inevitability of divine order.