Shloka 25

Bali Mahārāja’s Empowerment and Conquest of Indra’s City

Prelude to Vāmana’s Petition

Devanagari script

भगवन्नुद्यमो भूयान्बलेर्न: पूर्ववैरिण: । अविषह्यमिमं मन्ये केनासीत्तेजसोर्जित: ॥ २५ ॥

Transliteration

bhagavann udyamo bhūyān baler naḥ pūrva-vairiṇaḥ aviṣahyam imaṁ manye kenāsīt tejasorjitaḥ

Translation

ప్రభూ, మా పూర్వ శత్రువు బలి మహారాజుకు ఇప్పుడు కొత్త ఉత్సాహం వచ్చింది. అతడు అద్భుతమైన బలం, తేజస్సు సంపాదించాడు; అతని పరాక్రమాన్ని మేము తట్టుకోలేమేమో అని భావిస్తున్నాము.

Synonyms

• bhagavan: O Lord
• bhagavan: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhagavat (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Vocative (8th/सम्बोधन), Singular (एकवचन)

• udyamaḥ: effort; enterprise
• udyamaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: udyama (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• bhūyān: greater; stronger
• bhūyān: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhūyas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Comparative adjective (तुलनात्मक), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with udyamaḥ

• baleḥ: of Bali
• baleḥ: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bali (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन)

• naḥ: of us; our
• naḥ: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Plural (बहुवचन)

• pūrva-vairiṇaḥ: of the former enemy
• pūrva-vairiṇaḥ: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: pūrva (प्रातिपदिक) + vairin (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa (तत्पुरुष) compound; Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Genitive (6th/षष्ठी), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies 'baleḥ' as 'former enemy'

• aviṣahyam: unbearable; irresistible
• aviṣahyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: aviṣahya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन); predicate adjective to 'imam'

• imam: this (one)
• imam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Pronoun (सर्वनाम), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• manye: I think
• manye: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: man (धातु)
• Form: Present tense (लट्), 1st person (उत्तमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

• kena: by what? by whom?
• kena: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kim (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Interrogative pronoun (प्रश्नवाचक सर्वनाम), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• āsīt: was
• āsīt: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: as (धातु)
• Form: Imperfect/past (लङ्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Parasmaipada (परस्मैपद)

• tejasā: by splendor; by power
• tejasā: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tejas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ūrjitaḥ: strengthened; empowered
• ūrjitaḥ: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ūrjita (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; √ūrj/√vṛdh sense 'to be strong')
• Form: Past passive participle-like adjective (कृदन्त), Masculine (पुंलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); agrees with implied subject (Bali/udyama)

Characters & Entities

• Indra
• Bali

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about Bali Maharaja becoming powerful?

This verse shows the devas recognizing that Bali’s rise is not ordinary; his strength seems intolerable, suggesting he has gained extraordinary empowerment through higher backing and potency.

Why did Indra say this about Bali to the Lord?

Indra, having previously been defeated by Bali, expresses alarm at Bali’s renewed and intensified effort, and seeks to understand the source of Bali’s empowerment while taking shelter of the Supreme Lord.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

When challenges feel overwhelming, this verse models humility and God-centered dependence—recognizing limits of one’s own power and seeking divine guidance rather than reacting with pride or panic.