Vamana Purana — Prahlada's Instructions to Bali, Shloka 46

Prahlada’s Instructions to Bali on Vishnu Worship, Monthly Gifts, and Building Hari’s Temple

Devanagari script

ददौ दीपानि विधिवद् वासुदेवालये बले सुगन्धितैलपूर्णानि घृतपूर्णानि च स्वयम्

Transliteration

dadau dīpāni vidhivad vāsudevālaye bale sugandhitailapūrṇāni ghṛtapūrṇāni ca svayam

Translation

ബലി വാസുദേവാലയത്തിൽ വിധിപൂർവ്വം ദീപങ്ങൾ അർപ്പിച്ചു—ചിലത് സുഗന്ധതൈലം നിറഞ്ഞതും ചിലത് നെയ്യ് നിറഞ്ഞതും—ഇവയെല്ലാം സ്വഹസ്തംകൊണ്ടുതന്നെ സമർപ്പിച്ചു।

Speakers

• Narrator describing Bali’s ritual observances

Primary Deities

• Vishnu (Vāsudeva)

Key Themes

• Dīpa-dāna (offering of lamps)
• Ritual correctness (vidhivat)
• Temple worship (ālaya-centered devotion)
• Personal participation in pūjā (svayam)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why does the text emphasize “vidhivat” (according to rule) in lamp-offering?

Purāṇas often distinguish casual devotion from ritually complete worship. “Vidhivat” signals that Bali’s offering follows prescribed procedures—purity, timing, and correct upacāras—making the act exemplary and merit-generating.

Is there a difference in merit between oil lamps and ghee lamps in Purāṇic practice?

Many Dharma and Purāṇic sources treat ghee lamps as especially auspicious and bright, while fragrant oil lamps add the element of pleasing scent (gandha) alongside light (jyotis). The verse presents both, suggesting abundance and completeness in Bali’s worship.

What does “svayam” add to the narrative?

It underscores personal agency and humility: Bali does not delegate the offering but performs it himself, a common Purāṇic marker of sincere bhakti and kingly dharma expressed through direct service.