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
舒克罗阿阇梨说：维罗遮那之子啊，这位以侏儒形态示现的梵行者，正是不朽的至上人格神毗湿奴。祂以迦叶为父、阿底提为母而降生，为成就诸天的事业而来。
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.