Vamana Purana — Prahlada's Instructions to Bali, Shloka 58

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

Devanagari script

स्वयं स्वभार्यासहितश्चकार देवालये मार्जनलेपनादिकाः क्रिया महात्मा यवशर्कराद्यां बलिं चकाराप्रतिमां मधुद्रुहः

Transliteration

svayaṃ svabhāryāsahitaścakāra devālaye mārjanalepanādikāḥ kriyā mahātmā yavaśarkarādyāṃ baliṃ cakārāpratimāṃ madhudruhaḥ

Translation

He himself, together with his wife, performed in the temple the acts beginning with sweeping and plastering. That great-souled one—Madhudruha (Viṣṇu)—had an incomparable offering (bali) made, consisting of barley, sugar, and the like.

Speakers

• Narrator (Purāṇic narrator) continuing the description of Bali’s devotional service.

Primary Deities

• Vishnu (Madhudruha/Keśava)
• Bali
• Vindhyāvalī (Bali’s queen, implied by ‘with his wife’)

Key Themes

• Sevā (hands-on temple service)
• Purity through cleaning rites (mārjana, lepana)
• Householder devotion (with spouse)
• Naivedya/offerings (yava, śarkarā)
• Transformation of Bali into exemplary devotee

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Is ‘bali’ here the king Bali or an offering?

In this verse, ‘bali’ is primarily the ritual offering (oblation) presented to Viṣṇu, though the narrative context simultaneously features King Bali. The Purāṇic style often allows such resonant wordplay, reinforcing Bali’s identity as one who offers (dāna/arpana).

Why emphasize sweeping and plastering as religious acts?

Purāṇas treat temple maintenance as meritorious sevā. ‘Mārjana’ and ‘lepana’ are not merely housekeeping; they are purity-creating rites that prepare the deity’s abode and symbolize inner purification through humble labor.

What is the significance of barley and sugar in offerings?

Barley (yava) is an ancient auspicious grain used in Vedic and Purāṇic rites; sugar (śarkarā) signifies sweetness/auspiciousness and hospitality to the deity. Together they mark a sattvic, celebratory naivedya appropriate to a Viṣṇu shrine.