Padma Purana — Bhumi Khanda, Shloka 35
Description of the Demons’ Austerities
Why the Gods Won
बलिरुवाच । एवं न युज्यते कर्तुं युष्माभिर्दितिजेश्वराः । विष्णुना सह यद्वैरं तद्वैरं नाशकारणम्
baliruvāca | evaṃ na yujyate kartuṃ yuṣmābhirditijeśvarāḥ | viṣṇunā saha yadvairaṃ tadvairaṃ nāśakāraṇam
Bali nói: “Hỡi các chúa tể của dòng Daitya sinh từ Diti, các ngươi làm vậy là không phải. Hễ kết oán với Viṣṇu, chính mối thù ấy trở thành nguyên nhân diệt vong.”
Bali
Concept: Enmity with Viṣṇu is intrinsically ruinous; aligning with the Lord (or at least refraining from hostility) is the only stable path.
Application: When anger targets what is sacred or foundational (truth, compassion, the divine), step back; choose reconciliation, humility, and constructive action.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: karuna
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"In a tense hall of Daityas, Bali steps forward with open palm in a gesture of restraint, his face calm yet urgent. Around him, armored asuras bristle with anger, but a faint, unseen presence of Viṣṇu is suggested by a soft blue radiance falling across Bali’s shoulders, as if dharma itself is illuminating his warning.","primary_figures":["Bali","Daitya lords (Diti-born)","Viṣṇu (suggested radiance/symbol)"],"setting":"Council chamber with banners and weapons; a central speaking space where Bali stands between factions, like a moral fulcrum.","lighting_mood":"temple lamp-lit","color_palette":["deep indigo","lamp gold","sandalwood beige","ruby red","peacock green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: Bali centered, right hand raised in abhaya-like counsel, adorned but composed; surrounding Daityas in agitated poses; subtle gold leaf aura and a small Viṣṇu emblem (conch/discus) in the background niche; rich reds and greens, embossed gold ornaments, ornate arch frame.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: intimate court scene with delicate brushwork; Bali’s serene profile contrasts with the heated faces of other asuras; a soft blue wash of light suggests Viṣṇu’s unseen protection; patterned textiles, refined expressions, balanced composition.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines; Bali with large calm eyes and controlled mudrā; surrounding asuras with exaggerated fierce eyes; warm lamp-lit yellows and reds, green accents, temple-wall symmetry; a stylized śaṅkha-cakra motif behind Bali.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: Bali as a central figure framed by lotus and floral borders; symbolic Viṣṇu presence as a blue circular aura with śaṅkha-cakra motifs; surrounding asuras arranged symmetrically like a narrative frieze; deep blue ground, gold and vermilion detailing, intricate textile patterns."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"meditative","suggested_raga":"Yaman","pace":"slow-meditative","voice_tone":"reverent-soft","sound_elements":["soft temple bells","steady tanpura drone","hushed assembly murmur","brief silence after counsel"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: बलिरुवाच→बलिः उवाच; युष्माभिर्दितिजेश्वराः→युष्माभिः दितिजेश्वराः; यद्वैरं→यत् वैरम्; तद्वैरं→तत् वैरम्
FAQs
The speaker is Bali, addressing the leaders of the Daityas (the sons of Diti), warning them about the consequences of opposing Viṣṇu.
The verse teaches prudence and dharma: hostility toward Viṣṇu is inherently self-destructive and therefore not a fitting course of action.
It presents Viṣṇu as an ultimately unconquerable divine power; antagonism toward him is portrayed as a direct route to downfall, reinforcing a Vaishnava worldview of Viṣṇu’s supremacy.