Shloka 16
Vāmanadeva Praises Bali; the Measure of Three Steps; Śukrācārya Warns Against the Gift
तस्मात् त्वत्तो महीमीषद् वृणेऽहं वरदर्षभात् । पदानि त्रीणि दैत्येन्द्र सम्मितानि पदा मम ॥ १६ ॥
tasmāt tvatto mahīm īṣad vṛṇe ’haṁ varadarṣabhāt padāni trīṇi daityendra sammitāni padā mama
Therefore, O king of the Daityas, O best of benefactors, I ask from you only a little land—three paces, measured by My own steps.
Lord Vāmanadeva wanted three paces of land according to the measurement of His footsteps. He did not want more than necessary. But although He pretended to be an ordinary human child, He actually wanted the land comprising the upper, middle and lower planetary systems. This was just to show the prowess of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
Vāmana’s “three steps” request is a humble-sounding boon that reveals the Lord’s supreme power—He will measure everything by His own stride, showing that all land ultimately belongs to Him.
To honor Bali’s charitable nature while also testing his truthfulness and surrender; the Lord approaches as a needy brāhmaṇa so the devotee’s dharma and devotion can shine.
Give with humility and integrity, and remember that possessions are temporary stewardship—keeping one’s word and offering results to God cultivates devotion and steadiness.