Shloka 31
Brahmā Worships Vāmana; the Demons Attack; Bali is Bound and Questioned About the Third Step
पदैकेन मयाक्रान्तो भूर्लोक: खं दिशस्तनो: । स्वर्लोकस्ते द्वितीयेन पश्यतस्ते स्वमात्मना ॥ ३१ ॥
padaikena mayākrānto bhūrlokaḥ khaṁ diśas tanoḥ svarlokas te dvitīyena paśyatas te svam ātmanā
Dengan satu langkah Aku telah menempati Bhūrloka; dengan tubuh-Ku Aku memenuhi langit dan segala penjuru. Dan di hadapanmu, dengan langkah kedua Aku menempati alam atas, Svargaloka.
According to the Vedic description of the planetary system, all the planets move from east to west. The sun, the moon and five other planets, such as Mars and Jupiter, orbit one above another. Vāmanadeva, however, expanding His body and extending His steps, occupied the entire planetary system.
FAQs
This verse describes how, with only two steps, Lord Vāmana (as Trivikrama) covered the earthly realms, the sky and directions with His form, and then the heavenly world—demonstrating the Lord’s unlimited, all-pervading supremacy.
Śukadeva narrates Vāmana’s expansion to show how the Lord protects His devotees and humbles pride: Bali’s apparent “loss” becomes the doorway to surrender and divine grace.
Recognize the limits of personal control and cultivate humility—offer one’s achievements, possessions, and plans to the Supreme, as Bali did, trusting that surrender brings a higher protection and purpose.