Vamana Purana — Prahlada's Instructions to Bali, Shloka 55

Prahlada’s Instructions to Bali on Vishnu Worship, Monthly Gifts, and Building Hari’s Temple

Devanagari script

एवं क्रियायोगरतस्य ते ऽद्य नूनं मुरारिः शुभदो भविष्यति नरा न सीदन्ति बले समाश्रिता विभुं जगन्नाथमनन्तमच्युतम्

Transliteration

evaṃ kriyāyogaratasya te 'dya nūnaṃ murāriḥ śubhado bhaviṣyati narā na sīdanti bale samāśritā vibhuṃ jagannāthamanantamacyutam

Translation

“Thus, for you—devoted today to disciplined action and worship—Murāri (Viṣṇu) will surely become the giver of auspiciousness. Men do not fall into distress when they take refuge in the Powerful Lord of the world—Ananta, Acyuta.”

Speakers

• Implied instructor voice continuing the exhortation; framed within Pulastya’s discourse (explicit speaker named in next verse)

Primary Deities

• Vishnu

Key Themes

• Refuge (śaraṇāgati)
• Kriyā-yoga (disciplined devotional action)
• Divine protection
• Viṣṇu-stuti through epithets

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What does “kriyā-yoga” mean in a Purāṇic context here?

It denotes disciplined religious action—ritual duty, charity, vows, and worship—performed with devotional intent. It is not merely technique, but dharma-infused practice oriented to pleasing Viṣṇu.

How should “bale samāśritāḥ” be understood—refuge in one’s own strength or in God’s?

The line culminates in “vibhuṃ jagannātham…,” so the refuge is in the Lord as the true Bala (power). The phrase implies that reliance on the divine removes the fear of decline or distress.

Why are multiple names (Murāri, Ananta, Acyuta) stacked together?

This is a common stuti device: each epithet highlights a theological facet—Murāri (protector/hero), Jagannātha (cosmic lordship), Ananta (infinity), Acyuta (unfailing stability)—to intensify assurance of protection and auspicious results.