Shloka 69
Indrajit’s Binding, Restoration by Viśalyā, and Counsel Restraining Rāvaṇa (Āraṇyaka Parva 273)
विक्रमैस्त्रिभिरक्षो भ्यो जहाराशु स मेदिनीम् । ददौ शक्राय च महीं विष्णुदेव: सनातन:,“उन अक्षोभ्य सनातन विष्णुदेवने तीन पगद्वारा शीघ्र ही सारी वसुधा नाप ली और देवराज इन्द्रको समर्पित कर दी
vikramais tribhir akṣobhyo jahārāśu sa medinīm | dadau śakrāya ca mahīṃ viṣṇudevaḥ sanātanaḥ ||
Bhīmasena said: “That eternal Viṣṇu, unshakable in might, swiftly encompassed the whole earth in three strides and then bestowed the land upon Śakra (Indra).” The statement recalls the Vāmana–Trivikrama deed as a paradigm of rightful power: strength is exercised to restore cosmic order and then relinquished in service of dharma rather than clung to for personal possession.
भीमसेन उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power aligned with dharma restores rightful order and is not hoarded. Viṣṇu’s three strides symbolize decisive, lawful action, followed by giving—returning sovereignty to Indra—highlighting restraint, legitimacy, and service over possession.
Bhīma cites the well-known Vāmana–Trivikrama episode: Viṣṇu, in three strides, encompasses the earth and then grants it to Indra (Śakra). He uses this divine precedent to frame the present discussion in terms of rightful authority and dharmic outcomes.