Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 7

Bali Mahārāja’s Empowerment and Conquest of Indra’s City

Prelude to Vāmana’s Petition

Devanagari script

एवं स विप्रार्जितयोधनार्थ- स्तै: कल्पितस्वस्त्ययनोऽथ विप्रान् । प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य कृतप्रणाम: प्रह्लादमामन्‍त्र्य नमश्चकार ॥ ७ ॥

Transliteration

evaṁ sa viprārjita-yodhanārthas taiḥ kalpita-svastyayano ’tha viprān pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya kṛta-praṇāmaḥ prahrādam āmantrya namaś-cakāra

Translation

Thus, having performed the special auspicious rite as advised by the brāhmaṇas and, by their grace, received the implements for battle, Mahārāja Bali circumambulated the brāhmaṇas and offered them obeisances. He also greeted Prahlāda Mahārāja and bowed to him with reverence.

Synonyms

• evam: thus
• evam: Kriyā-viśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, adverb (प्रकारवाचक)

• saḥ: he
• saḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Masculine, Nominative Singular

• vipra-arjita-yodhana-arthaḥ: whose battle-equipment was obtained from brāhmaṇas
• vipra-arjita-yodhana-arthaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक) + arjita (कृदन्त, क्त) + yodhana (प्रातिपदिक) + artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative Singular; multi-member tatpuruṣa: vipraiḥ arjitaṃ yodhanaṃ yasya saḥ / yodhanārthaḥ (purpose of battle) (समास-समाहार)

• taiḥ: by them
• taiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun, Masculine/Neuter, Instrumental (तृतीया) Plural

• kalpita-svastyayanaḥ: for whom auspicious rites were arranged
• kalpita-svastyayanaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kalpita (कृदन्त, क्त from √kḷp कल्प्) + svastyayana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative Singular; tatpuruṣa: kalpitaṃ svastyayanaṃ yasya saḥ (having auspicious rites arranged)

• atha: then
• atha: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: atha (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya, discourse particle (अनन्तरार्थक/आरम्भक)

• viprān: the brāhmaṇas
• viprān: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vipra (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (द्वितीया) Plural

• pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya: having circumambulated
• pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pradakṣiṇī (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + √kṛ (कृ धातु) → kṛtya (क्त्वा/ल्यप्)
• Form: Absolutive (ल्यप्/क्त्वा) indeclinable gerund; avyayībhāva: pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya = ‘having circumambulated’

• kṛta-praṇāmaḥ: having offered obeisance
• kṛta-praṇāmaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: kṛta (कृदन्त, क्त from √kṛ) + praṇāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative Singular; tatpuruṣa: kṛtaḥ praṇāmaḥ yena saḥ (one who has made obeisance)

• prahrādam: Prahlāda
• prahrādam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: prahrāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative Singular

• āmantrya: having addressed/taken leave of
• āmantrya: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√mantr (मन्त्र् धातु)
• Form: Absolutive (क्त्वा/ल्यप्) gerund; indeclinable

• namaḥ: salutation
• namaḥ: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: namas (अव्यय-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Avyaya (अव्यय), interjection/particle of salutation (नमस्कारार्थक)

• cakāra: did/made
• cakāra: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (कृ धातु)
• Form: Liṭ (लिट्, perfect), 3rd person Singular

Characters & Entities

• Bali Mahārāja
• Prahlāda Mahārāja
• Brāhmaṇas (Vipras)

FAQs

Why does Bali Maharaja circumambulate and bow to the brahmanas in Srimad Bhagavatam?

This verse shows Bali’s adherence to dharma and Vaiṣṇava culture—he honors the brāhmaṇas who perform auspicious rites and seeks their blessings before undertaking a major duty like battle.

Why did Bali Maharaja take leave of Prahlada Maharaja?

Prahlāda is Bali’s revered elder and a great devotee; taking permission and offering obeisances reflects Bali’s humility and his recognition of Prahlāda’s spiritual authority.

What is the practical application of this shloka in modern life?

Before important actions, seek blessings and guidance from spiritually mature mentors, show gratitude to teachers, and maintain humility through respectful conduct.