Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 30
Vāmanadeva Praises Bali; the Measure of Three Steps; Śukrācārya Warns Against the Gift
श्रीशुक्र उवाच एष वैरोचने साक्षाद् भगवान्विष्णुरव्यय: । कश्यपाददितेर्जातो देवानां कार्यसाधक: ॥ ३० ॥
śrī-śukra uvāca eṣa vairocane sākṣād bhagavān viṣṇur avyayaḥ kaśyapād aditer jāto devānāṁ kārya-sādhakaḥ
Sinabi ni Śukrācārya: O anak ni Virocana, ang brahmacārī na ito sa anyong pandak ay si Bhagavān Viṣṇu mismo, ang di-nagmamaliw. Tinanggap Niya si Kaśyapa bilang ama at si Aditi bilang ina, at nagpakita Siya upang tuparin ang layunin ng mga deva.
FAQs
This verse explicitly states that the person before Bali is sākṣāt Bhagavān Viṣṇu—Viṣṇu directly, the imperishable Supreme Lord.
Vairocana means “descendant of Virocana”; Śukadeva addresses Bali by his lineage to identify him clearly within the daitya dynasty during the Vāmana narrative.
The verse teaches discernment: behind changing situations may be a higher arrangement—cultivating humility, faith, and dharmic action even when outcomes challenge our plans.