Shloka 27

Brahmā Worships Vāmana; the Demons Attack; Bali is Bound and Questioned About the Third Step

Devanagari script

हाहाकारो महानासीद् रोदस्यो: सर्वतोदिशम् । निगृह्यमाणेऽसुरपतौ विष्णुना प्रभविष्णुना ॥ २७ ॥

Transliteration

hāhākāro mahān āsīd rodasyoḥ sarvato diśam nigṛhyamāṇe ’sura-patau viṣṇunā prabhaviṣṇunā

Translation

సర్వశక్తిమంతుడైన ప్రభు విష్ణువు అసురపతి బలి మహారాజును ఇలా నిర్బంధించినప్పుడు, పైలోకముల నుండి క్రింది లోకముల వరకు అన్ని దిశలలో మహా హాహాకారం వినిపించింది।

Synonyms

हाहाकारःa great cry of lamentation

महान्great

आसीत्was/arose

रोदस्योःof the two worlds (heaven and earth)

सर्वतःeverywhere

दिशम्direction

निगृह्यमाणेwhile being seized/held back

असुर-पतौwhen the lord of the Asuras (Bali)

विष्णुनाby Viṣṇu

प्रभविष्णुनाby the all-powerful (Viṣṇu)

Characters & Entities

Viṣṇu

Bali Mahārāja

FAQs

What does Śrīmad Bhāgavatam say about Lord Viṣṇu subduing Bali Mahārāja?

This verse describes the moment Viṣṇu restrains Bali, causing a widespread outcry across heaven and earth—showing the Lord’s irresistible sovereignty over even the most powerful rulers.

Why was there a great cry (hāhākāra) when Bali was being captured?

Because Bali was the asura-king and a major cosmic power; as Viṣṇu subdued him, the event shook the worlds, and beings in all directions reacted with alarm and astonishment.

What is the practical lesson of this verse for modern life?

Worldly power can appear overwhelming, but the Bhāgavatam emphasizes that ultimate control rests with God; cultivating humility and surrender steadies one when status, control, or security is challenged.