Shloka 61

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

Devanagari script

तत्रोत्सवो सुख्यतमो भविष्यति दिवानिशं हृष्टजनाभिरामम् यथैव राज्ये भवतस्तु साम्प्रतं तथैव सा भाव्यथ कौमुदी च // वम्प्_65.60 इत्येवमुक्त्वा मधुहा दितीश्वरं विसर्जयित्वा सुतलं सभार्यम् यज्ञं समादाय जगाम तूर्णं स शक्रसद्भामरसंघजुष्टम्

Transliteration

tatrotsavo sukhyatamo bhaviṣyati divāniśaṃ hṛṣṭajanābhirāmam yathaiva rājye bhavatastu sāmprataṃ tathaiva sā bhāvyatha kaumudī ca // VamP_65.60 ityevamuktvā madhuhā ditīśvaraṃ visarjayitvā sutalaṃ sabhāryam yajñaṃ samādāya jagāma tūrṇaṃ sa śakrasadbhāmarasaṃghajuṣṭam

Translation

{"scene_description": "Hari speaks a dharma teaching: brāhmaṇas stand or sit before him, and their bodies are shown as luminous extensions of Viṣṇu’s own form—an iconographic ‘tanu’ metaphor made visible.", "primary_figures": ["Hari (Viṣṇu)", "brāhmaṇas", "Viṣṇu-devotee (viṣṇutatpara)"], "setting": "A teaching hall or yajña pavilion with scriptures, kuśa mats, and offerings; divine radiance linking Viṣṇu and brāhmaṇas.", "color_palette": ["deep blue", "gold", "white", "saffron", "emerald"], "tanjore_prompt": "Tanjore style with heavy gold leaf, Viṣṇu seated with śaṅkha-cakra-gadā-padma, brāhmaṇas before him with golden aura strands connecting to Viṣṇu’s torso (tanu symbolism), ornate temple arch, rich jewel tones.", "pahari_prompt": "Pahari miniature, gentle pastel court of sages, Viṣṇu teaching with calm gesture, subtle translucent overlay showing brāhmaṇas as extensions of his body-light, fine detailing of sacred thread and manuscripts.", "kerala_mural_prompt": "Kerala mural, bold outlines, Viṣṇu in frontal icon pose, brāhmaṇas in profile with clear yajñopavīta, stylized radiance bands indicating ‘māmakī tanuḥ’, temple interior palette.", "pattachitra_prompt": "Pattachitra narrative panel, Viṣṇu speaking in a speech-scroll motif, brāhmaṇas depicted with repeated patterns and shared halo border to show unity with Hari’s body, decorative floral borders."}

Word by Word

:

Speakers

• Narrative voice recounting Viṣṇu’s words and actions; Viṣṇu (Madhuhā) addressing Bali (Ditīśvara) is implied in the quoted promise about Kaumudī

Primary Deities

• Viṣṇu
• Indra (Śakra)
• Bali

Key Themes

• Kaumudī/seasonal festival sanctity
• Public joy as dharmic fruit
• Viṣṇu as guarantor of order for Devas and Asuras
• Ritual (yajña) as cosmic mechanism
• Reconciliation/settlement with Bali

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What is ‘Kaumudī’ in this context?

‘Kaumudī’ literally relates to moonlight (kumuda/kaumudī) and commonly denotes an autumnal, moonlit festive observance. Here it functions as a named celebration characterized by continuous day-night rejoicing, indicating a ritually sanctioned, recurring festival in Bali’s realm (and/or as a boon promised by the Lord).

Why does Viṣṇu ‘dismiss’ Bali to Sutala rather than destroy him?

The Vāmana–Bali narrative emphasizes dharma rather than annihilation: Bali’s truthfulness and gift (dāna) are honored, and his sovereignty is relocated to Sutala. This preserves cosmic balance—Devas regain their stations while Bali receives an enduring, protected domain.

What does the move to ‘Śakra’s assembly’ signify?

It marks a narrative transition from the Asura settlement back to the Deva order: Viṣṇu, as the ritual and cosmic sovereign, proceeds to Indra’s court to re-establish the gods as rightful recipients of sacrificial shares and governance.