Vamana Purana — Bali Learns of Vamana, Shloka 37

Bali Learns of Vamana in Aditi’s Womb and Prahlada Teaches Refuge in Hari

Devanagari script

सर्वेषामंपि भूतानां नान्यल्लोके परायणम् यथा तथानुपस्येयं भवन्तं राज्यविच्युतम्

Transliteration

sarveṣāmaṃpi bhūtānāṃ nānyalloke parāyaṇam yathā tathānupasyeyaṃ bhavantaṃ rājyavicyutam

Translation

“For all beings, there is no other refuge in the world. Therefore, in that very way, may I continue to behold (and rely upon) you, even when I am displaced from kingship.”

Speakers

• Bali addressing the Lord (Viṣṇu) as the sole refuge; framed within the Vāmana–Bali narrative discourse

Primary Deities

• Vishnu (Vāmana/Trivikrama)

Key Themes

• Śaraṇāgati (taking refuge)
• Universality of divine refuge (for all beings)
• Devotional vision (anupaśyā)
• Equanimity amid loss

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "shanta", "secondaryRasa": "karuna", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

Who is ‘bhavantam’ (‘you’) in this verse?

In the Vāmana–Bali context, it is Viṣṇu (Vāmana/Trivikrama), addressed directly as the supreme refuge.

What is the nuance of ‘anupaśyeyam’?

It is not mere physical seeing; it implies sustained contemplative recognition—continuing to ‘behold’ the Lord as one’s guiding reality and support.

Why emphasize ‘for all beings’ (sarveṣām api bhūtānām)?

The verse generalizes Bali’s stance into a universal theological claim: regardless of status or species, the ultimate parāyaṇa is the Lord; thus personal downfall cannot negate the proper refuge.