Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 9
Brahmā Worships Vāmana; the Demons Attack; Bali is Bound and Questioned About the Third Step
महीं सर्वां हृतां दृष्ट्वा त्रिपदव्याजयाच्ञया । ऊचु: स्वभर्तुरसुरा दीक्षितस्यात्यमर्षिता: ॥ ९ ॥
mahīṁ sarvāṁ hṛtāṁ dṛṣṭvā tripada-vyāja-yācñayā ūcuḥ sva-bhartur asurā dīkṣitasyātyamarṣitāḥ
当那些阿修罗随从看见：他们的主人——已受灌顶、坚决行祭的巴利大王——竟因婆摩那天以“乞求三步之地”为名而夺去一切国土与财物时，便怒不可遏，如是说道。
FAQs
This verse highlights that Vāmana’s “three steps” request was a divine stratagem by which Bali’s entire realm was taken back, revealing the Lord’s supreme ownership over all worlds.
They saw that Bali’s possessions were being lost due to the three-steps request, and, being attached to power and territory, they became enraged and protested against their own master.
It teaches that worldly allies may turn against dharmic decisions when material loss is involved, so one should hold firmly to truth, vows, and devotion rather than fear criticism.