Shloka 16

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

Devanagari script

वामन उवाच गजाश्वभूहिरण्यादि तदर्थिभ्यः प्रदीयताम् एतावता त्वहं चार्थी देहि राजन् पदत्रयम्

Transliteration

vāmana uvāca gajāśvabhūhiraṇyādi tadarthibhyaḥ pradīyatām etāvatā tvahaṃ cārthī dehi rājan padatrayam

Translation

Vāmana said: “Let elephants, horses, land, gold and the like be given to those who desire them. As for me, I seek only this much—O king, grant me three paces (of land).”

Speakers

• Vāmana (Viṣṇu in dwarf form) speaking to King Bali

Primary Deities

• Vishnu
• Bali

Key Themes

• Dāna (charitable giving) and its limits
• Humility and strategic request (alpa-yācñā)
• Testing of royal dharma
• Viṣṇu’s protection of cosmic order through a vow/gift

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why does Vāmana dismiss large gifts like elephants, horses, land, and gold?

The verse frames Vāmana as an ideal brāhmaṇa petitioner who asks for a minimal, precise grant. Narratively, it heightens the contrast between Bali’s vast generosity and the seemingly small request that will nevertheless restore cosmic balance.

What is the dharmic significance of ‘three paces’ (padatrayam)?

A small, clearly delimited request tests the donor’s truthfulness (satya) and commitment to dāna. In the wider Vāmana–Bali cycle, the ‘three paces’ become the legal/ritual basis for Viṣṇu’s cosmic stride (Trivikrama) without Bali being coerced—Bali consents through a formal gift.

Is any sacred geography indicated in this verse?

No specific tīrtha, river, forest, or region is named here; the verse is focused on the ethics and form of the requested donation.