Vamana Purana — Kali's Complaint to Brahma (Part 2), Shloka 49

Kali’s Complaint to Brahma and the Arrival of Śrī (Jayaśrī) in Bali’s Reign

Devanagari script

समाश्रयन्ति बलिनं ह्रीश्रीधीधृतिकीर्त्तयः प्रभा मतिः श्रमा भूतिर्विद्या नीतिर्दया तथा

Transliteration

samāśrayanti balinaṃ hrīśrīdhīdhṛtikīrttayaḥ prabhā matiḥ śramā bhūtirvidyā nītirdayā tathā

Translation

लज्जा, श्री, बुद्धी, धैर्य व कीर्ती यांनी बलीचा आश्रय घेतला; तसेच प्रभा, मती, श्रम, समृद्धी, विद्या, नीती आणि दयाही।

Speakers

• Narrative description within the Bali episode (virtues enumerated as attendants).

Primary Deities

• Bali (as the focal king)
• Śrī (as prosperity, implied among the virtues)

Key Themes

• Catalogue of royal virtues
• Dharma of kingship (rāja-dharma)
• Personified qualities as attendants
• Legitimization of Bali’s greatness

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Is this a theological claim that Bali is ‘favored by Lakṣmī/Śrī’ despite being an Asura king?

Yes in a qualified sense: Purāṇas often acknowledge that prosperity and virtue can adhere to any ruler who practices dharma, tapas, and generosity. Bali is portrayed as a paradigmatic donor-king; hence Śrī and allied virtues are said to ‘resort to’ him.

What is the significance of including both ‘nīti’ and ‘dayā’?

It balances statecraft with compassion. ‘Nīti’ indicates prudent governance and ethical policy; ‘dayā’ indicates mercy and non-cruelty. Together they depict an ideal sovereignty that is effective yet humane.

Why list so many qualities—what does it accomplish narratively?

It heightens the dramatic and moral weight of the coming Vāmana encounter: Bali’s eventual ‘loss’ is not due to lack of merit but due to the cosmic purpose of Viṣṇu’s līlā and the restoration of divine order.