Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 29
Brahmā Worships Vāmana; the Demons Attack; Bali is Bound and Questioned About the Third Step
पदानि त्रीणि दत्तानि भूमेर्मह्यं त्वयासुर । द्वाभ्यां क्रान्ता मही सर्वा तृतीयमुपकल्पय ॥ २९ ॥
padāni trīṇi dattāni bhūmer mahyaṁ tvayāsura dvābhyāṁ krāntā mahī sarvā tṛtīyam upakalpaya
阿修罗之王啊，你曾许诺给我三步之地；我以两步已遍覆整个宇宙。如今思量：我的第三步当置于何处？
FAQs
This verse shows that after Bali granted three steps, Vāmana expanded and covered everything with two steps, leaving no space for the third—revealing the Lord’s supremacy and the devotee’s test of integrity.
Vāmana reminds Bali of his promise and asks him to fulfill the third step, bringing Bali to the crucial moment of surrender—offering himself when no external land remains.
Keep commitments even under pressure, and when ego-based “ownership” collapses, choose humility and surrender to dharma and God rather than dishonor or excuses.