Vamana Purana — Bali's Sudarshana Worship, Shloka 64

Bali’s Worship of Sudarshana and Prahlada’s Teaching on Vishnu-Bhakti

Devanagari script

प्राप्नुवन्ति न तांल्लोकान् व्रतिनो वा तपस्विनः प्राप्यन्ते ये तु कृष्णस्य नमस्कारपरैर्न रैः

Transliteration

prāpnuvanti na tāṃllokān vratino vā tapasvinaḥ prāpyante ye tu kṛṣṇasya namaskāraparairna raiḥ

Translation

Those worlds which are attained by men devoted to bowing to Kṛṣṇa are not attained (so easily) by mere observers of vows (vratins) or even by ascetics practicing austerities (tapasvins).

Speakers

• Unspecified in the provided excerpt (continuation of Adhyāya 67’s instruction)

Primary Deities

• Vishnu
• Krishna

Key Themes

• Supremacy of bhakti over ritual austerity
• Namaskāra (salutation) as a complete sādhana
• Soteriology (attainment of higher lokas)
• Grace-oriented religiosity

Verse Rasa (Emotional Flavour)

{ "primaryRasa": "vira", "secondaryRasa": "shanta", "rasaIntensity": 0, "emotionalArcPosition": "", "moodDescriptors": [] }

FAQs

Is the verse criticizing vrata and tapas?

It relativizes them, not abolishes them. The point is comparative: devotion expressed through humble namaskāra to Kṛṣṇa grants attainments that are otherwise difficult even for disciplined practitioners of vows and austerities.

What are ‘those worlds’ (tāṃl lokān) in Purāṇic idiom?

The phrase typically indicates exalted destinations—Vaikuṇṭha-like realms or superior heavenly states—associated with Viṣṇu-bhakti. The verse leaves them unnamed, emphasizing the superiority of the devotional means rather than mapping a specific loka.

Why is namaskāra singled out?

Namaskāra embodies surrender (śaraṇāgati), humility, and constant remembrance. Purāṇas often treat such simple acts, when done with faith, as concentrated forms of dharma that surpass complex observances performed without devotion.