Shloka 13
तस्मादस्य वधो धर्मो भर्तु: शुश्रूषणं च न: । इत्यायुधानि जगृहुर्बलेरनुचरासुरा: ॥ १३ ॥
tasmād asya vadho dharmo bhartuḥ śuśrūṣaṇaṁ ca naḥ ity āyudhāni jagṛhur baler anucarāsurāḥ
Therefore it is our duty to kill this Vāmanadeva, Lord Viṣṇu. It is our religious principle and the way to serve our master. After making this decision, the demoniac followers of Mahārāja Bali took up their various weapons with a view to killing Vāmanadeva.
FAQs
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.
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.
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.