Shloka 45

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

Devanagari script

प्रमाणहीनां स्वयमेव कृत्वा वसुंधरां माधव पद्मनाभ विष्णो न बध्नासि बलिं न दूरे प्रभुर्यदेवेच्छति तत्करोति

Transliteration

pramāṇahīnāṃ svayameva kṛtvā vasuṃdharāṃ mādhava padmanābha viṣṇo na badhnāsi baliṃ na dūre prabhuryadevecchati tatkaroti

Translation

“O Mādhava, O Padmanābha, O Viṣṇu—having yourself rendered the earth ‘without measure’ (immeasurable), you do not bind Bali, nor do you keep him far away. The Lord does exactly whatever he wills.”

Speakers

• Bāṇa (son of Bali) addressing Viṣṇu (Mādhava/Padmanābha).

Primary Deities

• Vishnu (Madhava/Padmanabha)
• Bali (as devotee/daitya king)

Key Themes

• Divine sovereignty (icchā)
• Grace toward Bali
• Cosmic measurability and transcendence
• Dana and its divine response
• Bhakti-stuti

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

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

FAQs

What does ‘pramāṇahīnāṃ … vasuṃdharām’ mean in context?

It suggests that by expanding as Trivikrama, the Lord makes the earth (and by extension the cosmos) exceed ordinary standards of measurement—highlighting that all ‘measure’ depends on the measurer (the divine).

Why emphasize that Viṣṇu does not bind Bali or keep him far away?

The Vāmana story balances justice and grace: Bali is checked in power, yet honored for truthfulness and generosity. The line underscores that the Lord’s relationship to Bali is not mere punishment but controlled, compassionate governance.

How does ‘the Lord does whatever he wills’ function theologically?

It asserts īśvaratva (absolute lordship): divine action is not constrained by external necessity. Even binding or releasing, nearness or distance, are expressions of purposeful will aligned with cosmic order (dharma).