Shloka 1.29.20
सिद्धाश्रम-प्रसङ्गः (Siddhashrama and the Vāmana Narrative)
त्रीन् क्रमानथ भिक्षित्वा प्रतिगृह्य च मानद:।आक्रम्य लोकान् लोकात्मा सर्वभूतहिते रत:।।1.29.20।।महेन्द्राय पुन: प्रादान्नियम्य बलिमोजसा।त्रैलोक्यं स महातेजाश्चक्रे शक्रवशं पुन:।।1.29.21।।
trīn kramān atha bhikṣitvā pratigṛhya ca mānadaḥ |
ākramya lokān lokātmā sarvabhūtahite rataḥ || 1.29.20 ||
mahendrāya punaḥ prādān niyamya balim ojasā |
trailokyaṃ sa mahātejāś cakre śakravaśaṃ punaḥ || 1.29.21 ||
Thereafter Viṣṇu—upholder of the righteous one’s dignity, the inner Self of the worlds, ever intent on the welfare of all beings—begged from Bali three strides and received them; and with those strides he encompassed the worlds. Then, restraining Bali by his own might, that supremely radiant Lord restored the three worlds to Mahendra (Indra), placing them once more under Śakra’s rule.
Thereafter, Visnu, soul of the universe who restores respect (for the righeous), and renders the welfare of all living beings, having begged from Bali, and been granted three places to put his footsteps on occupied the (three) worlds and by restraining Bali with his energy, gave (it) back to Mahendra. In this manner the highly lustrous Visnu, gave possession of the three worlds to Mahendra.
Dharma is the restoration of rightful order: power gained through pride or imbalance (Bali’s dominance) is restrained, and legitimate stewardship (Indra’s rule) is re-established for the welfare of all beings.
Viśvāmitra recounts Viṣṇu’s Vāmana/Trivikrama act: he asks Bali for three strides, covers the worlds, subdues Bali, and returns sovereignty of the three worlds to Indra.
Viṣṇu’s lokahita (universal benevolence) and dharma-rakṣaṇa (protection of righteous order), coupled with measured force—subduing without needless harm.