Shloka 10

Brahmā Worships Vāmana; the Demons Attack; Bali is Bound and Questioned About the Third Step

Devanagari script

न वायं ब्रह्मबन्धुर्विष्णुर्मायाविनां वर: । द्विजरूपप्रतिच्छन्नो देवकार्यं चिकीर्षति ॥ १० ॥

Transliteration

na vāyaṁ brahma-bandhur viṣṇur māyāvināṁ varaḥ dvija-rūpa-praticchanno deva-kāryaṁ cikīrṣati

Translation

Vamana ini pastinya bukan seorang brahmana tetapi yang terbaik antara penipu, Dewa Vishnu. Dengan mengambil bentuk seorang brahmana, Dia telah menutupi bentuk-Nya sendiri, dan dengan itu Dia bekerja untuk kepentingan para dewa.

Synonyms

nanot

vāindeed/for sure (emphatic)

ayamthis (person)

brahma-bandhuḥa Brahmin in name only (kinsman of Brahmins)

viṣṇuḥVishnu

māyāvināmof the illusionists

varaḥthe best

dvija-rūpa-praticchannaḥdisguised in the form of a brahmin

deva-kāryamthe work of the gods

cikīrṣatiwishes to do

Characters & Entities

Viṣṇu

Vāmana (implied)

Devas (demigods)

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Lord Vishnu disguising Himself as a brahmana?

This verse states that Viṣṇu, the supreme master of mystic power, conceals Himself in a brāhmaṇa form to accomplish the devas’ divine purpose—protecting cosmic order and dharma.

Why did Śukadeva Gosvāmī say that this is not a brahma-bandhu?

In the narrative of Vāmana’s arrival at Bali’s sacrifice, Śukadeva clarifies that the visitor is not an unqualified brāhmaṇa by birth, but Viṣṇu Himself acting under a divine mission.

What is the practical lesson of Vāmana’s disguise in modern life?

Do not judge spiritual potency by external appearance; the Bhagavatam teaches reverence, discernment, and humility, recognizing that the Divine can act through unexpected forms to restore righteousness.