Skanda Purana — Prabhasa Khanda, Shloka 45
बलिर्न जानाति सुराधिपं त्वां सुराश्च सर्वे बलियज्ञभोजिनः । त्वमेव तेऽरिं हृदि चिंतय स्वयं युक्तं तवेदं कथितं मयेति
balirna jānāti surādhipaṃ tvāṃ surāśca sarve baliyajñabhojinaḥ | tvameva te'riṃ hṛdi ciṃtaya svayaṃ yuktaṃ tavedaṃ kathitaṃ mayeti
Bali tidak mengenali tuanku sebagai Penguasa para dewa, dan semua dewa turut menikmati persembahan korban Bali. Maka hendaklah tuanku sendiri merenung dalam hati tentang musuh tuanku; apa yang hamba katakan ini memang wajar.
Nārada
Tirtha: Vastrāpatha-kṣetra
Type: kshetra
Scene: A counselor (deva/minister/sage figure) addressing the Lord of the gods: devas shown partaking in Bali’s yajña; the addressed deity stands contemplative, hand to heart, eyes lowered in inward reflection; Bali’s grandeur in background.
FAQs
Discernment and inner reflection are required even for the gods; dharma must be defended with wise strategy.
The teaching is embedded in the Vastrāpathakṣetra Māhātmya of Prabhāsa, using divine counsel to heighten the narrative sanctity.
Bali’s yajñas are referenced; the verse does not prescribe a new rite but comments on sacrificial participation.