Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 27

The Appearance of Vāmanadeva and His Arrival at Bali’s Sacrifice

Devanagari script

स्वागतेनाभिनन्द्याथ पादौ भगवतो बलि: । अवनिज्यार्चयामास मुक्तसङ्गमनोरमम् ॥ २७ ॥

Transliteration

svāgatenābhinandyātha pādau bhagavato baliḥ avanijyārcayām āsa mukta-saṅga-manoramam

Translation

മുക്താത്മാക്കൾക്ക് എപ്പോഴും മനോഹരനായ ഭഗവാനെ യഥോചിതമായി സ്വീകരിച്ച് ബലി മഹാരാജൻ അവന്റെ കമലപാദങ്ങൾ കഴുകി ആരാധിച്ചു.

Synonyms

• स्वागतेन: with words of welcome
• स्वागतेन: करण (Instrument/करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्वागत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया (करण/Instrumental), एकवचन — 'with welcome/words of welcome'

• अभिनन्द्य: having welcomed
• अभिनन्द्य: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि + √नन्द् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), 'having greeted/welcomed'

• अथ: then
• अथ: सम्बन्धसूचक (Discourse particle/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय—सम्बन्धबोधक/अनन्तरार्थक (particle: then/thereupon)

• पादौ: (his) two feet
• पादौ: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पाद (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/Accusative), द्विवचन — 'the two feet'

• भगवतः: of the Lord
• भगवतः: सम्बन्ध (Genitive relation/सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भगवत् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (सम्बन्ध/Genitive), एकवचन — 'of the Lord'

• बलिः: Bali
• बलिः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: बलि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (कर्ता/Nominative), एकवचन — 'Bali'

• अवनिज्य: having washed
• अवनिज्य: क्रियाविशेषण (Adverbial/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव + √नी (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वा-प्रत्ययान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (gerund), 'having washed'

• अर्चयाम्: worshipped
• अर्चयाम्: क्रिया (Main verb component/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-परस्मैपद-आम-प्रयोग (periphrastic perfect base), उत्तमपुरुष? (irregular in pāṭha); here as part of periphrastic perfect with आस— 'worshipped'

• आस: (aux.) did
• आस: क्रिया (Auxiliary/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √आस् (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन — auxiliary in periphrastic perfect: 'did/was' → 'worshipped'

• मुक्त-सङ्ग-मनोरमम्: charming in detachment (free from attachment)
• मुक्त-सङ्ग-मनोरमम्: कर्मविशेषण (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मुक्त (√मुच्; क्त कृदन्त) + सङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक) + मनोरम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (निर्धारण), पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन — 'charming due to freedom from attachment' (qualifying भगवतः/पादौ)

Characters & Entities

• Bali Mahārāja
• Bhagavān (Vāmana)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about washing the Lord’s feet (pāda-sevā)?

This verse shows Bali Mahārāja honoring Bhagavān by washing His feet and worshiping Him, presenting pāda-sevā as a direct expression of devotion and reverence.

Why did Bali Mahārāja welcome and worship Vāmana in Canto 8?

In the Vāmana-līlā, Bali recognizes the divine presence in Vāmana and receives Him as the Supreme Lord, offering traditional hospitality—washing the feet and worship—before granting charity.

Practical application of Bali Mahārāja’s example in modern life?

Cultivate humility and devotional respect—welcome sacredness into daily life through sincere service, honoring devotees, and offering one’s actions as worship rather than seeking personal gain.