Vamana Purana — Bali Learns of Vamana, Shloka 5

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

Devanagari script

स ज्ञात्वा वासुदेवोत्थं भयं दैत्येष्वनुत्तमम् चिन्तयामास योगात्मा क्व विष्णुः सांप्रतं स्थितः

Transliteration

sa jñātvā vāsudevotthaṃ bhayaṃ daityeṣvanuttamam cintayāmāsa yogātmā kva viṣṇuḥ sāṃprataṃ sthitaḥ

Translation

{"scene_description": "A father bestows names upon two asura sons; the elder is proclaimed Netrabhāsa, the younger Gatibhāsa, with a hint of playful fancy.", "primary_figures": ["asura father", "Netrabhāsa", "Gatibhāsa"], "setting": "Household naming moment—ritual-like but informal, emphasizing spoken proclamation.", "color_palette": ["indigo", "burnt sienna", "antique gold", "black-green"], "tanjore_prompt": "Tanjore-style naming scene: asura father seated on a throne-like seat, two sons before him, inscription-like name banners ‘Netrabhāsa’ and ‘Gatibhāsa’, gold-leaf halo motifs, rich textiles.", "pahari_prompt": "Pahari miniature: intimate indoor scene with father gesturing in playful naming, soft pastel architecture, delicate facial expressions, small Devanagari labels near figures.", "kerala_mural_prompt": "Kerala mural: bold-lined father figure pointing to each son as names are declared, flat temple aesthetic, earthy reds and greens, ornamental borders.", "pattachitra_prompt": "Pattachitra: sequential panel style showing elder labeled Netrabhāsa and younger labeled Gatibhāsa, decorative floral border, folk clarity and rhythmic patterning."}

Speakers

• Narratorial voice (Sūta-style Purāṇic narration) describing a yogic figure’s reflection; addressee implied by the next verse as Nārada is being addressed/mentioned.

Primary Deities

• Vishnu (Vāsudeva)

Key Themes

• Cosmic order and divine presence
• Daitya fear and divine intervention
• Yogic inquiry (jijñāsā)
• Locating Viṣṇu across the worlds

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

Why is the fear described as ‘vāsudevottha’ (arisen from Vāsudeva)?

The compound signals that the Daityas’ dread is not ordinary political fear but a theophanic reaction to Viṣṇu’s agency—his presence, vow, or impending avatāra-action. In Purāṇic narrative, such fear often precedes a decisive divine intervention that rebalances dharma.

Who is the ‘yogātmā’ here, and why is yoga emphasized in a cosmology passage?

The text characterizes the inquirer as contemplative and capable of inner vision. Purāṇic cosmography is frequently framed as knowledge accessed through yogic insight (dhyāna/jñāna), not merely physical travel; thus ‘yogātmā’ legitimizes the forthcoming survey of worlds.

What does ‘Where is Viṣṇu presently stationed?’ imply in Purāṇic theology?

It implies that Viṣṇu’s ‘station’ (sthāna) can be spoken of at multiple levels—iconic (temple/tīrtha), cosmic (support of lokas), and transcendent (beyond). The immediate context points to a cosmographic answer: tracing realms from Pātāla upward.