Vamana Purana — Bali Learns of Vamana, Shloka 4

Bali Learns of Vamana in Aditi’s Womb and Prahlada Teaches Refuge in Hari

Devanagari script

पुलस्त्य उवाच तत्पौत्रवचनं श्रुत्वा मुहूर्तं ध्यानमास्तितः किमर्थं तेजसो हानिरिति कस्मादतीव च

Transliteration

pulastya uvāca tatpautravacanaṃ śrutvā muhūrtaṃ dhyānamāstitaḥ kimarthaṃ tejaso hāniriti kasmādatīva ca

Translation

ਪੁਲਸਤ੍ਯ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ—ਉਸ ਪੌਤ੍ਰ ਦੇ ਬਚਨ ਸੁਣ ਕੇ ਉਹ ਕੁਝ ਪਲ ਧਿਆਨ ਵਿੱਚ ਟਿਕਿਆ ਰਿਹਾ—ਤੇਜ ਦੀ ਹਾਨੀ ਕਿਉਂ ਹੋਈ ਅਤੇ ਇਹ ਇੰਨੀ ਅਤਿ ਕਿਉਂ ਹੈ।

Speakers

• Pulastya speaking (in the Purāṇic frame)
• responding to a descendant’s query; this verse signals a shift into explanatory discourse

Key Themes

• Purāṇic frame narration
• Contemplation before teaching
• Etiology of decline (tejas-hāni)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why does Pulastya pause in ‘dhyāna’ before answering?

The pause marks the transition from question to authoritative teaching. In Purāṇic style, a ṛṣi’s brief contemplation signals that the forthcoming explanation is grounded in insight (smṛti/jñāna) rather than conjecture.

Who is the ‘grandson’ (pautra) here?

The verse uses relational language typical of layered narration. ‘Pautra’ can denote a literal grandson within a genealogical setting or, more broadly, a junior descendant/interlocutor in the frame dialogue; the key function is to mark generational hierarchy and transmission of knowledge.

What does ‘atīva’ add to the question about tejas-loss?

It indicates not merely a normal fluctuation of fortune but an unusually intense decline, prompting a deeper causal account—often involving dharmic lapse, ritual disruption, or a decisive shift in divine support.