Narada Purana — Purva Bhaga, Shloka 188
Vāmana’s Advent, Aditi’s Hymn, Bali’s Gift, and the Mahatmya of Bhū-dāna
विरोचनात्मजं दैत्यं पदैकार्थं बबन्ध ह । ततः प्रपन्नं तु बलिं ज्ञात्वा चास्मै रसातलम् । ददौ तद्वारपालश्च भक्तवश्यो बभूव ह ॥ ८८ ॥
virocanātmajaṃ daityaṃ padaikārthaṃ babandha ha | tataḥ prapannaṃ tu baliṃ jñātvā cāsmai rasātalam | dadau tadvārapālaśca bhaktavaśyo babhūva ha || 88 ||
Baginda mengikat Bali, sang Daitya putera Virocana, dengan kuasa satu langkah sahaja. Kemudian, setelah mengetahui Bali sebagai yang berserah diri (prapanna), Baginda mengurniakan kepadanya Rasātala; dan kerana tunduk kepada bhakti hamba-Nya, Baginda sendiri berdiri sebagai penjaga pintu di sana.
Narada (narrating to the Sanatkumara brothers)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: bhakti
Secondary Rasa: vira
FAQs
It highlights that the Lord’s supremacy is not merely cosmic power (binding Bali with one step) but compassionate grace: when Bali surrenders, the Lord grants him a protected realm and even accepts the humble role of gatekeeper, showing bhakti’s power over God.
The verse uses the key bhakti principle “bhaktavaśya”—the Lord is ‘conquered’ by devotion. Bali’s prapatti (surrender) transforms punishment into divine favor, teaching that sincere refuge in Vishnu leads to protection and intimate divine relationship.
No specific Vedāṅga technique is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is dharma-in-practice through prapatti (surrender) and vrata-like steadfastness in one’s pledged word—Bali’s commitment and surrender are presented as spiritually efficacious.