Shloka 1.29.21

सिद्धाश्रम-प्रसङ्गः (Siddhashrama and the Vāmana Narrative)

Devanagari script

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।।

Transliteration

trīn kramān atha bhikṣitvā pratigṛhya ca mānadaḥ |

ākramya lokān lokātmā sarvabhūtahite rataḥ || 1.29.20 ||

Translation

Thereafter, Viṣṇu—the inner Self of the worlds, the restorer of honour, ever devoted to the welfare of all beings—begged from Bali three strides of land; and, having received them, he strode over the worlds and took possession of them.

Context

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.

Characters & Entities

• Viṣṇu
• Vāmana
• Bali
• loka (the worlds)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma here is protective righteousness: divine power is exercised not for domination but to restore moral order and safeguard the welfare of all beings.

What is the narrative situation?

Viśvāmitra narrates the Vāmana–Bali episode: Viṣṇu asks Bali for three strides and then covers the worlds with those strides.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viṣṇu’s loka-hita (commitment to universal welfare) and the righteous use of power—strength guided by ethical purpose.