Vamana Purana — Kali's Complaint to Brahma (Part 1), Shloka 10

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

Devanagari script

तान् प्रभग्नान् सुरगाणान् बलिबाणापुरोगमाः पृष्ठतश्चाद्रवन् सर्वे त्रैलोक्यविजिगीषवः

Transliteration

tān prabhagnān suragāṇān balibāṇāpurogamāḥ pṛṣṭhataścādravan sarve trailokyavijigīṣavaḥ

Translation

Śaṅkha: conch (Pāñcajanya, emblem of Viṣṇu); Cakra: discus (Sudarśana, emblem of divine sovereignty and protection); Gadā: mace (Kaumodakī, emblem of strength and righteous punishment); Pāṇi: hand; Mādhava: Viṣṇu (lord/consort of Lakṣmī; also ‘of Madhu’s line’); Puruṣottama: the Supreme Person, highest among beings; Prapadyasva: ‘take refuge, surrender’ (imperative of prapad); Śaraṇa: refuge, protection; Śreyas: highest good, spiritual and worldly welfare; Vidhāsyati: ‘will arrange/bring about’.

Speakers

• Narratorial voice (Purāṇic narrator).

Primary Deities

• Indra (Śakra)

Key Themes

• Imperial ambition (trailokya-vijaya)
• Pursuit after rout
• Bali’s ascendancy as a cosmic threat

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is the significance of ‘trailokya-vijigīṣavaḥ’ in the Bali narrative?

It marks Bali’s campaign as more than a local victory: it is a bid for universal sovereignty over the three cosmic tiers. This is precisely the condition that triggers Viṣṇu’s corrective avatāra strategy (Vāmana/Trivikrama).

Why are Bali and Bāṇa singled out as leaders?

Purāṇic battle narration often highlights emblematic champions to represent the whole Daitya coalition. Bali signifies legitimate Daitya kingship and ritual power; Bāṇa represents formidable martial support—together signaling a consolidated, aggressive front.

Does this verse imply the Devas are completely powerless?

It depicts a tactical collapse, not absolute annihilation. The Devas’ retreat is a narrative hinge: their loss of position leads to seeking higher refuge and the eventual restoration through divine intervention.