Brahmā Worships Vāmana; the Demons Attack; Bali is Bound and Questioned About the Third Step
एतान् वयं विजेष्यामो यदि दैवं प्रसीदति । तस्मात् कालं प्रतीक्षध्वं यो नोऽर्थत्वाय कल्पते ॥ २४ ॥
etān vayaṁ vijeṣyāmo yadi daivaṁ prasīdati tasmāt kālaṁ pratīkṣadhvaṁ yo no ’rthatvāya kalpate
若天意垂怜于我方,我们必能战胜他们;因此当等待那对我们有利的时机,使击败他们成为可能。
This verse teaches that success depends on favorable time and providence; therefore one should act strategically and patiently, waiting until conditions support the goal.
In the context of the demigods and demons’ conflict, Bali advises restraint: victory is possible when daiva (providence) is favorable, so they should pause and act when the moment becomes advantageous.
Do your duty with intelligence, but don’t force outcomes—assess timing, stay steady under setbacks, and act when circumstances align rather than reacting impulsively.