Shloka 61

Prahlada's Instructions to Bali — Prahlada’s Instructions to Bali on Vishnu Worship, Monthly Gifts, and Building Hari’s Temple

Devanagari script

सूर्यायुताभं मुसलं प्रगृह्य निघ्नन् स दुष्टारियूथापालान् द्वारि स्थितो न प्रददौ प्रवेशं प्राकारगुप्ते बलिनो गृहे तु

Transliteration

sūryāyutābhaṃ musalaṃ pragṛhya nighnan sa duṣṭāriyūthāpālān dvāri sthito na pradadau praveśaṃ prākāragupte balino gṛhe tu

Translation

เขาถือกระบองอันสว่างดุจหมื่นดวงอาทิตย์ แล้วปราบหัวหน้ากองศัตรูผู้ชั่วร้าย ยืนเฝ้าที่ประตู มิให้ผู้ใดเข้าไปยังเรือนของพลิซึ่งมีเชิงเทินกำแพงคุ้มกัน

Speakers

• Narrator describing the divine gate-guardian role assumed by Nārāyaṇa/Janārdana

Primary Deities

• Vishnu (as protector/guardian)

Key Themes

• Divine guardianship
• Threshold symbolism (dvāra as liminal space)
• Protection of the righteous king
• Martial imagery in service of dharma

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "vira", "secondaryRasa": "raudra", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

Who is the ‘he’ holding the sun-bright mace—Bali’s guard or Vishnu?

In the immediate narrative flow from the prior verse (where Janārdana stands for Bali’s protection), the most coherent reading is that the Lord himself assumes the role of a formidable gate-guardian, preventing improper entry and subduing hostile forces.

What is the narrative function of the ‘gate’ (dvāra) and ‘rampart’ (prākāra) imagery?

The dvāra marks a liminal boundary between inner sanctum and outer world. Purāṇic storytelling uses such thresholds to dramatize protection, testing, and controlled access—often foreshadowing an imminent sacred encounter or decisive turning point.

Is the ‘ten-thousand-suns’ radiance literal or poetic?

It is a conventional epic-Purāṇic hyperbole indicating irresistible divine power (tejas). The point is not astronomy but the overwhelming, unapproachable brilliance of the protector’s weapon and presence.