Vamana Purana — Kali's Complaint to Brahma (Part 1), Shloka 47

Kali’s Complaint to Brahma and the Arrival of Śrī (Jayaśrī) in Bali’s Court

Devanagari script

ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां सदा शुश्रुषणे रताः शूद्राः सन्त्वसुरश्रेष्ठ तवाज्ञाकारिणः सदा

Transliteration

brāhmaṇakṣatriyaviśāṃ sadā śuśruṣaṇe ratāḥ śūdrāḥ santvasuraśreṣṭha tavājñākāriṇaḥ sadā

Translation

“Let the Śūdras, O best of Asuras, always be devoted to service (śuśrūṣā) of the Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and Vaiśyas, and let them ever act in accordance with your commands.”

Speakers

• (Didactic voice in the narrative) A divine/authoritative instructor addressing Bali (asura-śreṣṭha).

Primary Deities

• Viṣṇu (Vāmana/Trivikrama) — contextual
• Bali — asura king (recipient of instruction)

Key Themes

• Varṇadharma (social duty)
• Rājadharma (king’s role in maintaining order)
• Social cohesion through prescribed duties
• Authority/obedience and governance

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "shanta", "secondaryRasa": "vira", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

Why is “service of the three varṇas” emphasized for Śūdras here?

The verse reflects a classical varṇadharma model where social stability is maintained by each group performing its prescribed function (svadharma). Śūdra duty is framed as śuśrūṣā—supporting the other orders—so that ritual, governance, and production can operate without disruption.

Does this verse describe an ethical ideal or a political instruction?

Both. It is ethical in prescribing a duty-based social ethic, and political in that it addresses the ruler (Bali) as the guarantor of compliance (“acting according to your commands”), implying enforcement and administration of social roles.

Is any tīrtha or geographical setting implied here?

No. Unlike many Vāmana Purāṇa passages that anchor dharma in specific sacred landscapes, this verse is purely normative and does not name a place.