Shloka 57

Vamana's Three Steps — Vamana’s Three Steps and the Binding of Bali

Devanagari script

दानान्यविधित्तानि श्राद्धान्यश्रोत्रियाणि च तथाधीतान्यव्रतिभिर्दास्यन्ति भवतः फलम्

Transliteration

dānānyavidhittāni śrāddhānyaśrotriyāṇi ca tathādhītānyavratibhirdāsyanti bhavataḥ phalam

Translation

Bahkan dana yang diberikan tanpa tata aturan, upacara śrāddha bagi yang bukan śrotriya, serta bacaan/ritus yang dilakukan oleh orang tanpa kaul—semuanya tetap akan menghasilkan buahnya bagimu.

Speakers

• Trivikrama (Viṣṇu) speaking to Bali

Primary Deities

• Vishnu (Trivikrama)

Key Themes

• Supremacy of divine grace over ritual deficiency
• Dāna (charity) and its merit
• Śrāddha and ancestral duty
• Qualification (adhikāra) vs. intention (bhāva)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Does the verse teach that incorrect ritual (avidhi) is always acceptable?

Not as a general dharma rule. The verse is part of a boon-context: Trivikrama is describing extraordinary, protective ‘phala’ arrangements for Bali. It highlights Viṣṇu’s grace overriding deficiencies for a specific beneficiary, rather than canceling the broader śāstric emphasis on proper method and qualified recipients.

What is meant by ‘aśrotriya’ in the context of śrāddha?

A śrotriya is a properly trained Vedic Brahmin (learned in śruti and conduct) traditionally considered an ideal recipient in rites like śrāddha. ‘Aśrotriya’ indicates an unqualified recipient; the verse says that even such imperfect performance will still produce fruit for Bali due to the divine boon.

Why mention ‘avratibhiḥ’ (by those without vows)?

Vows (vrata) and discipline are markers of ritual fitness. By including ‘avratin,’ the text intensifies the claim: even when the performer lacks ideal discipline, the merit is safeguarded—again underscoring the exceptional nature of the boon and the protective scope of Viṣṇu’s favor.