Vamana Purana — Bali's Sudarshana Worship, Shloka 69

Bali’s Worship of Sudarshana and Prahlada’s Teaching on Vishnu-Bhakti

Devanagari script

तन्मना भव तद्भक्तस्तद्याजी तं नमस्कुरु तमेवाश्रित्य देवेशं सुखं प्राप्यसि पुत्रक

Transliteration

tanmanā bhava tadbhaktastadyājī taṃ namaskuru tamevāśritya deveśaṃ sukhaṃ prāpyasi putraka

Translation

“Let your mind be fixed on Him; become His devotee; be one who worships Him; bow to Him. Taking refuge in that Lord of the gods alone, you will attain happiness, my child.”

Speakers

• Unspecified in the provided excerpt (didactic voice addressing a ‘child’/disciple)

Primary Deities

• Vishnu
• Narayana
• Hari

Key Themes

• Bhakti as refuge (śaraṇāgati)
• Mindfulness/constant God-remembrance
• Worship and prostration as core practices
• Soteriology through devotion

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "shanta", "secondaryRasa": "bhakti", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

What is the practical sequence of practice implied by ‘tanmanā…tadbhakta…tadyājī…namaskuru’ ?

It moves from inner orientation to outer expression: (1) mental absorption (tanmanā), (2) identity as a devotee (tadbhakta), (3) regular worship/service (tadyājī), and (4) humility through obeisance (namaskāra). Together they describe integrated bhakti—mind, conduct, and ritual devotion.

Does ‘āśritya deveśam’ indicate a specific doctrine?

Yes. It signals śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) as a sufficient means: relying on Viṣṇu as the supreme protector and goal, rather than on merely worldly supports or limited deities for ultimate liberation.

Why is the address ‘putraka’ significant in Purāṇic instruction?

It marks a compassionate teacher–disciple tone typical of Purāṇic dharma teaching, emphasizing that the instruction is meant for accessible practice by householders and ordinary listeners, not only ascetics.