Shloka 122
The Greatness of Puṣkara: Tripuṣkara Pilgrimage, Sacred Geography, and the Doctrine of Self-Restraint
अवध्यः सर्वभूतानां बलिश्चापि महासुरः । वामनं वपुरास्थाय त्रैलोक्याद्भ्रंशितस्त्वया
avadhyaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ baliścāpi mahāsuraḥ | vāmanaṃ vapurāsthāya trailokyādbhraṃśitastvayā
แม้พญาพลี—อสูรมหาฤทธิ์ผู้มิอาจถูกพิชิตโดยสรรพสัตว์—ก็ถูกพระองค์ทรงอวตารเป็นวามนะแล้วทรงทำให้ตกจากไตรโลกย์
Unspecified (context-dependent within Adhyaya 19; likely within a Pulastya–Bhīṣma style narration common to the Purāṇic frame)
Concept: Even the ‘invincible’ is bounded by the Supreme; pride and overreach collapse when confronted by divine measure and cosmic law.
Application: Practice humility in success; keep promises and ethics (Bali’s dāna implied) while recognizing higher accountability beyond ego.
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Type: celestial_realm
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A small, radiant brahmacārin Vāmana stands before Bali’s grand sacrificial arena, holding a wooden umbrella and kamaṇḍalu, asking for three steps of land. In the next visual beat, Trivikrama expands into a cosmic giant, one foot spanning the heavens, the other covering the earth, while Bali bows—caught between awe and surrender.","primary_figures":["Vāmana (Viṣṇu)","Trivikrama (expanded form)","Bali","Śukrācārya (optional)","Devas (optional)"],"setting":"Sacrificial pavilion with fire altar, banners, priests, and a sky opening into cosmic scale","lighting_mood":"divine radiance with ritual fire-glow","color_palette":["saffron orange","sky blue","emerald green","golden yellow","smoky gray"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: split-scene composition—left: childlike Vāmana with umbrella before Bali at the yajña; right: towering Trivikrama with gold-leaf halo and embossed ornaments, one foot raised to the heavens; rich reds/greens, gem-studded crowns, stylized fire altar, ornate arch border.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: delicate yajña pavilion with fine textile patterns; Vāmana small and luminous; Trivikrama rising into pale blue sky with soft cloud bands; Bali kneeling with expressive humility; cool palette with saffron accents, lyrical naturalism.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: iconic Vāmana with bold outlines and kamaṇḍalu; Trivikrama occupying most of the panel, symmetrical stance, flat pigment fields; yajña fire as a red-orange motif; Bali in añjali at the base; temple-wall aesthetic.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: central Trivikrama framed by lotus borders; Vāmana and Bali in smaller vignettes; deep blue background with gold floral motifs; cows/peacocks as decorative elements; devotional iconography emphasis."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["yajña fire crackle","mantra murmurs","temple bells","conch shell (soft)"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: बलिश्चापि = बलिः + च + अपि; वपुरास्थाय = वपुः + आस्थाय; त्रैलोक्याद्भ्रंशितस्त्वया = त्रैलोक्यात् + भ्रंशितः + त्वया (द् + भ् संधि)
FAQs
It refers to Viṣṇu’s Vāmana-avatāra episode, where Bali is humbled and removed from sovereignty over the three worlds (trailokya) through Vāmana’s divine stratagem.
It emphasizes Viṣṇu’s supremacy: even an “invincible” ruler like Bali is ultimately subject to the divine will when Viṣṇu manifests (avatāra) to restore cosmic order.
Worldly power—even when seemingly unassailable—can be overturned; humility before dharma and the divine is presented as superior to pride in dominion.