Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 26

The Appearance of Vāmanadeva and His Arrival at Bali’s Sacrifice

Devanagari script

यजमान: प्रमुदितो दर्शनीयं मनोरमम् । रूपानुरूपावयवं तस्मा आसनमाहरत् ॥ २६ ॥

Transliteration

yajamānaḥ pramudito darśanīyaṁ manoramam rūpānurūpāvayavaṁ tasmā āsanam āharat

Translation

巴利大王见到瓦摩那主尊端严可观、悦目殊胜，四肢匀称使全身更显美妙，心中欢喜踊跃，遂满怀满足地奉上座位。

Synonyms

• यजमानः: the sacrificer
• यजमानः: कर्ता (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: यजमान (√यज् ‘to sacrifice’ इति धातु; शानच्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त/प्रातिपदिकवत्)
• Form: वर्तमानकृदन्त (शानच्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — 'the sacrificer (Bali)'

• प्रमुदितः: delighted
• प्रमुदितः: कर्ता-विशेषण (Subject-qualifier/कर्ता-विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: प्रमुदित (प्र + √मुद् ‘to rejoice’ इति धातु; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त)
• Form: क्त (PPP), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन — 'delighted' (qualifying यजमानः)

• दर्शनीयम्: worthy to be seen
• दर्शनीयम्: कर्मविशेषण (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: दर्शनीय (√दृश् ‘to see’ इति धातु; अनीयर्-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त)
• Form: अनीयर् (gerundive), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन — 'worthy to be seen' (qualifying आसनम्)

• मनोरमम्: charming
• मनोरमम्: कर्मविशेषण (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: मनोरम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन — 'charming' (qualifying आसनम्)

• रूप-अनुरूप-अवयवम्: with limbs proportionate to his form
• रूप-अनुरूप-अवयवम्: कर्मविशेषण (Object-qualifier/कर्मविशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: रूप (प्रातिपदिक) + अनुरूप (प्रातिपदिक) + अवयव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (निर्धारण), नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन — 'having limbs proportionate to (his) form' (qualifying आसनम्/या तस्मै दत्तम्)

• तस्मै: to him
• तस्मै: सम्प्रदान (Recipient/सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, चतुर्थी (सम्प्रदान/Dative), एकवचन — 'to him'

• आसनम्: a seat
• आसनम्: कर्म (Object/कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आसन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (कर्म/Accusative), एकवचन — 'a seat'

• आहरत्: brought, offered
• आहरत्: क्रिया (Main verb/क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ + √हृ (धातु)
• Form: लङ् (Imperfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन — 'he brought/offered'

Characters & Entities

• Bali Mahārāja
• Vāmana Deva

FAQs

What does the Srimad Bhagavatam say about receiving a guest (atithi-seva)?

This verse shows Bali Mahārāja joyfully honoring Vāmana by offering a suitable seat—teaching that a worthy guest should be received with heartfelt respect and proper hospitality.

Why did Bali Mahārāja offer Vāmana Deva a seat?

Seeing Vāmana’s enchanting, divine form, Bali—acting as the yajamāna—welcomed Him according to dharma and etiquette, beginning the formal reception before fulfilling His request.

How can this teaching be applied in modern life?

Offer sincere respect and practical care to guests—especially saints, elders, and devotees—by welcoming them warmly and providing what is appropriate, not merely what is convenient.