Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 33

Bali Mahārāja Upholds Truth; Vāmana Reveals the Universal Form and Takes the Two Steps

Devanagari script

सुनन्दमुख्या उपतस्थुरीशं पार्षदमुख्या: सहलोकपाला: । स्फुरत्किरीटाङ्गदमीनकुण्डल: श्रीवत्सरत्नोत्तममेखलाम्बरै: ॥ ३२ ॥ मधुव्रतस्रग्वनमालयावृतो रराज राजन्भगवानुरुक्रम: । क्षितिं पदैकेन बलेर्विचक्रमे नभ: शरीरेण दिशश्च बाहुभि: ॥ ३३ ॥

Transliteration

sunanda-mukhyā upatasthur īśaṁ pārṣada-mukhyāḥ saha-loka-pālāḥ sphurat-kirīṭāṅgada-mīna-kuṇḍalaḥ śrīvatsa-ratnottama-mekhalāmbaraiḥ

Translation

Ô roi, ainsi manifesté dans Sa splendeur, Bhagavān Urukrama, devant Bali, d’un seul pas mesura toute la terre; de Son corps Il couvrit le ciel; et de Ses bras Il emplit toutes les directions.

Synonyms

• sunanda-mukhyāḥ: headed by Sunanda
• sunanda-mukhyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sunanda (प्रातिपदिक) + mukhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• upatasthuḥ: attended
• upatasthuḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-sthā (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person, Plural

• īśam: the Lord
• īśam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: īśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular

• pārṣada-mukhyāḥ: chief attendants
• pārṣada-mukhyāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pārṣada (प्रातिपदिक) + mukhya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• saha-loka-pālāḥ: together with the Lokapālas
• saha-loka-pālāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: saha (अव्यय) + loka-pāla (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Plural

• sphurat-kirīṭāṅgada-mīna-kuṇḍalaḥ: with flashing crown, armlets, fish-earrings
• sphurat-kirīṭāṅgada-mīna-kuṇḍalaḥ: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sphurat (कृदन्त, √sphur) + kirīṭa (प्रातिपदिक) + aṅgada (प्रातिपदिक) + mīna-kuṇḍala (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• śrīvatsa-ratnottama-mekhalā-ambaraiḥ: with Śrīvatsa, best jewels, girdle, garments
• śrīvatsa-ratnottama-mekhalā-ambaraiḥ: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śrīvatsa (प्रातिपदिक) + ratna-uttama (प्रातिपदिक) + mekhalā (प्रातिपदिक) + ambara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Plural

Purport

One might argue, “Since Bali Mahārāja promised Vāmanadeva only the land occupied by His steps, why did Lord Vāmanadeva occupy the sky also?” In this regard, Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī says that the steps include everything, downward and upward. When one stands up, he certainly occupies certain parts of the sky and certain portions of the earth below his feet. Thus there was nothing uncommon for the Supreme Personality of Godhead when He occupied the entire sky with His body.

Characters & Entities

• Sunanda
• Bhagavān (Śrī Viṣṇu / Vāmana)
• Loka-pālas (guardians of the worlds)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about meditating on Lord Vishnu’s form?

This verse emphasizes the Lord’s divine beauty and auspicious ornaments, encouraging devotees to remember Him with loving attention, which strengthens bhakti.

Who is Sunanda in Srimad Bhagavatam?

Sunanda is one of the Lord’s principal attendants in Vaikuṇṭha, here described as leading the Lord’s associates in personal service.

Practical application of seeing the divine in modern life?

Regularly contemplate the Lord’s auspicious qualities and form (through śravaṇa and smaraṇa), replacing anxious thoughts with remembrance of the Supreme Protector.