Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 28
The Appearance of Vāmanadeva and His Arrival at Bali’s Sacrifice
तत्पादशौचं जनकल्मषापहं स धर्मविन्मूर्ध्न्यदधात् सुमङ्गलम् । यद् देवदेवो गिरिशश्चन्द्रमौलि- र्दधार मूर्ध्ना परया च भक्त्या ॥ २८ ॥
tat-pāda-śaucaṁ jana-kalmaṣāpahaṁ sa dharma-vin mūrdhny adadhāt sumaṅgalam yad deva-devo giriśaś candra-maulir dadhāra mūrdhnā parayā ca bhaktyā
那洗涤主莲足之水，能除众生垢罪，至为吉祥。通晓法义的巴利大王将其置于头顶；因为诸天之尊、额饰月轮的吉利沙湿婆，也以至诚大爱将从毗湿奴足趾流出的恒河圣水顶戴于首。
Lord Śiva is known as Gaṅgā-dhara, or one who carries the water of the Ganges on his head. On Lord Śiva’s forehead is the emblem of the half-moon, yet to give supreme respect to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Śiva placed the water of the Ganges above this emblem. This example should be followed by everyone, or at least by every devotee, because Lord Śiva is one of the mahājanas. Similarly, Mahārāja Bali also later became a mahājana. One mahājana follows another mahājana, and by following the paramparā system of mahājana activities one can become advanced in spiritual consciousness. The water of the Ganges is sanctified because it emanates from the toe of Lord Viṣṇu. Bali Mahārāja washed the lotus feet of Vāmanadeva, and the water with which he did so became equal to the Ganges. Bali Mahārāja, who perfectly knew all religious principles, therefore took that water on his head, following in the footsteps of Lord Śiva.
FAQs
This verse says the water that washed the Lord’s feet removes the sins of people and is supremely auspicious—so sacred that Bali placed it on his head.
Because, though challenged by circumstances, Bali remained a knower of dharma and accepted the Lord’s feet as the highest sanctity and blessing, expressing surrender.
Honor what is truly purifying—devotion, humility, and reverence for the divine—by placing spiritual priorities above ego, status, and fear of loss.