Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 9
Brahmā Worships Vāmana; the Demons Attack; Bali is Bound and Questioned About the Third Step
महीं सर्वां हृतां दृष्ट्वा त्रिपदव्याजयाच्ञया । ऊचु: स्वभर्तुरसुरा दीक्षितस्यात्यमर्षिता: ॥ ९ ॥
mahīṁ sarvāṁ hṛtāṁ dṛṣṭvā tripada-vyāja-yācñayā ūcuḥ sva-bhartur asurā dīkṣitasyātyamarṣitāḥ
Ketika para pengikut asura Mahārāja Bali melihat bahwa tuan mereka, yang teguh dalam yajña setelah menerima dikṣā, telah kehilangan seluruh bumi karena Vāmanadeva merampasnya dengan dalih meminta tiga langkah tanah, mereka sangat murka dan berkata demikian.
FAQs
This verse highlights that Vāmana’s “three steps” request was a divine stratagem by which Bali’s entire realm was taken back, revealing the Lord’s supreme ownership over all worlds.
They saw that Bali’s possessions were being lost due to the three-steps request, and, being attached to power and territory, they became enraged and protested against their own master.
It teaches that worldly allies may turn against dharmic decisions when material loss is involved, so one should hold firmly to truth, vows, and devotion rather than fear criticism.