Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 20

Bali Mahārāja Upholds Truth; Vāmana Reveals the Universal Form and Takes the Two Steps

Devanagari script

नेदुर्मुहुर्दुन्दुभय: सहस्रशो गन्धर्वकिम्पूरुषकिन्नरा जगु: । मनस्विनानेन कृतं सुदुष्करं विद्वानदाद् यद् रिपवे जगत्‍त्रयम् ॥ २० ॥

Transliteration

nedur muhur dundubhayaḥ sahasraśo gandharva-kimpūruṣa-kinnarā jaguḥ manasvinānena kṛtaṁ suduṣkaraṁ vidvān adād yad ripave jagat-trayam

Translation

ଗନ୍ଧର୍ବ, କିମ୍ପୁରୁଷ ଓ କିନ୍ନରମାନେ ପୁନଃପୁନଃ ହଜାରହଜାର ଦୁନ୍ଦୁଭି ଓ ତୂର୍ୟ ବାଜାଇ ମହା ହର୍ଷରେ ଗାଇଲେ—“ବଳି ମହାରାଜ କେତେ ମହାନ! ସେ ଅତି ଦୁଷ୍କର କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ କଲେ; ବିଷ୍ଣୁ ଶତ୍ରୁପକ୍ଷରେ ଅଛନ୍ତି ବୋଲି ଜାଣିଥିଲେ ମଧ୍ୟ ପ୍ରଭୁଙ୍କୁ ତ୍ରିଲୋକ ଦାନ କଲେ।”

Synonyms

• neduḥ: they sounded
• neduḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √nad (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्श-भूत/Perfect), परस्मैपदी; प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन; √नद् (शब्दे)

• muhuḥ: again and again
• muhuḥ: Kāla (काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: muhuḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: काल/आवृत्ति-वाचक-अव्यय (adverb of repetition)

• dundubhayaḥ: kettledrums
• dundubhayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dundubhi (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• sahasraśaḥ: by the thousands
• sahasraśaḥ: Prakāra (प्रकार)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sahasraśaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: परिमाण/प्रकार-वाचक-अव्यय (adverb: by thousands)

• gandharva-kimpūruṣa-kinnarāḥ: Gandharvas, Kimpūruṣas, and Kinnaras
• gandharva-kimpūruṣa-kinnarāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: gandharva + kimpūruṣa + kinnara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; इतरेतर-द्वन्द्वः

• jaguḥ: they sang
• jaguḥ: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √gai (धातु)
• Form: लिट् (परोक्श-भूत/Perfect), परस्मैपदी; प्रथम-पुरुष, बहुवचन; √गै (गाने)

• manasvinā: by the magnanimous one (Bali)
• manasvinā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manasvin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति (करण/कर्ता-हेतु), एकवचन

• anena: by him/with this
• anena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• kṛtam: done
• kṛtam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √kṛ (धातु) + kta (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि-कृदन्तः (क्त), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; √कृ (करणे)

• su-duṣkaram: very difficult
• su-duṣkaram: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: su + duṣkara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; उपसर्ग/उपपद-समासभावः (सु + दुष्कर)

• vidvān: the wise one
• vidvān: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: √vid (धातु) + śatṛ (कृदन्त)
• Form: वर्तमान-कृदन्तः (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; √विद् (ज्ञाने)

• adāt: gave
• adāt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dā (धातु)
• Form: लुङ् (अद्यतन-भूत/Aorist), परस्मैपदी; प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन; √दा (दाने)

• yat: which
• yat: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: yad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; सम्बन्ध-सर्वनाम (relative pronoun)

• ripave: to the enemy
• ripave: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ripu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी-विभक्ति (सम्प्रदान), एकवचन

• jagat-trayam: the three worlds
• jagat-trayam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: jagat + traya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; द्विगु-समासः (त्रीणि जगन्ति)

Characters & Entities

• Bali Mahārāja
• Vāmana (Lord Viṣṇu)
• Gandharvas
• Kimpūruṣas
• Kinnaras

FAQs

Why did Bali Mahārāja give the three worlds to his enemy in the Srimad Bhagavatam?

Because he was steadfast to truth and charity; even when Vāmana appeared as an opponent, Bali honored his promise and offered everything, showing surrender and integrity.

What is the significance of the Gandharvas and Kinnaras singing in Bhagavatam 8.20.20?

Their music celebrates an extraordinary act of dharma—Bali’s rare sacrifice of worldly sovereignty—highlighting that true greatness is measured by devotion and keeping one’s vow.

How can I apply Bali Mahārāja’s lesson in modern life?

Keep your commitments, practice generous giving within your capacity, and cultivate surrender to God’s will—placing spiritual integrity above ego, status, and possessions.