Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 20
Nara-Nārāyaṇa Ṛṣi and the Lord’s Unlimited Incarnations
देवासुरे युधि च दैत्यपतीन् सुरार्थे हत्वान्तरेषु भुवनान्यदधात् कलाभि: । भूत्वाथ वामन इमामहरद् बले: क्ष्मां याच्ञाच्छलेन समदाददिते: सुतेभ्य: ॥ २० ॥
devāsure yudhi ca daitya-patīn surārthe hatvāntareṣu bhuvanāny adadhāt kalābhiḥ bhūtvātha vāmana imām aharad baleḥ kṣmāṁ yācñā-cchalena samadād aditeḥ sutebhyaḥ
在天神与阿修罗的战争中，至上主常借此机缘，为天神之利而诛灭阿修罗的首领；于是于每一摩奴时期，主以诸般化身护持诸世界。随后主以侏儒婆罗门（婆摩那）示现，向巴利大王乞求三步之地，并以乞求之方便夺取了大地；继而又将整个世界归还给阿底提的诸子。
FAQs
This verse states that the Lord became Vāmana and, by the strategy of asking for charity, reclaimed the earth from Bali and returned it to Aditi’s sons, restoring the rightful order.
The verse highlights divine strategy: by a humble request, the Lord accomplished cosmic restoration while simultaneously revealing Bali’s virtue and the Lord’s supremacy without relying on brute force.
It teaches that dharma can be protected through wisdom and humility, and that apparent reversals in power can serve a higher purpose when aligned with the Divine will.