Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 115
Vāmana’s Advent, Aditi’s Hymn, Bali’s Gift, and the Mahatmya of Bhū-dāna
एतच्छॄत्वा बलिः प्राह राज्यं याचितवान्नहि । ग्रामं वा नगरं चापि धनं वा किं कृतं त्वया ॥ १५ ॥
etacchṝtvā baliḥ prāha rājyaṃ yācitavānnahi | grāmaṃ vā nagaraṃ cāpi dhanaṃ vā kiṃ kṛtaṃ tvayā || 15 ||
ಇದನ್ನು ಕೇಳಿ ಬಲಿ ಹೇಳಿದನು—“ನೀನು ರಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ಕೇಳಿಲ್ಲ, ಗ್ರಾಮವನ್ನೂ ಕೇಳಿಲ್ಲ, ನಗರವನ್ನೂ ಕೇಳಿಲ್ಲ, ಧನವನ್ನೂ ಕೇಳಿಲ್ಲ; ಹಾಗಾದರೆ ನೀನು ಏನು ಮಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದೀಯೆ (ನಿನ್ನ ಉದ್ದೇಶವೇನು)?”
Bali
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
The verse highlights discernment in charity: Bali recognizes that the petitioner’s aim is beyond ordinary gains (kingdom, wealth), pointing to a deeper divine purpose behind the request.
By sensing that the request is not material, the narrative frames devotion as recognizing Vishnu’s higher will—where apparent begging or small requests can conceal a transformative divine plan.
No specific Vedanga (like Vyakarana, Jyotisha, or Shiksha) is directly taught in this line; the practical takeaway is ethical discernment in dana (gift-giving) and intention (bhāva) in ritualized charity.