Srimad Bhagavatam · Canto 8 · Chapter 18

Lord Vāmanadeva, the Dwarf Incarnation

8.18.1

श्रीशुक उवाच इत्थं विरिञ्चस्तुतकर्मवीर्य: प्रादुर्बभूवामृतभूरदित्याम् । चतुर्भुज: शङ्खगदाब्जचक्र: पिशङ्गवासा नलिनायतेक्षण: ॥ १ ॥

sri-suka uvaca ittham virinca-stuta-karma-viryah pradurbabhuvamrta-bhur adityam catur-bhujah sankha-gadabja-cakrah pisanga-vasa nalinayateksanah

Sukadeva Gosvami said: After Lord Brahma had thus spoken, glorifying the Supreme Lord’s activities and prowess, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is never subject to death like an ordinary living being, appeared from the womb of Aditi. His four hands were decorated with a conchshell, club, lotus and disc, He was dressed in yellow garments, and His eyes appeared like the petals of a blooming lotus.

8.18.2

श्यामावदातो झषराजकुण्डल- त्विषोल्ल‍सच्छ्रीवदनाम्बुज: पुमान् । श्रीवत्सवक्षा बलयाङ्गदोल्ल‍स- त्किरीटकाञ्चीगुणचारुनूपुर: ॥ २ ॥

syamavadato jhasa-raja-kundala- tvisollasac-chri-vadanambujah puman srivatsa-vaksa balayangadollasat- kirita-kanci-guna-caru-nupurah

The body of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, blackish in complexion, was free from all inebrieties. His lotus face, decorated with earrings resembling sharks, appeared very beautiful, and on His bosom was the mark of Srivatsa. He wore bangles on His wrists, armlets on His arms, a helmet on His head, a belt on His waist, a sacred thread across His chest, and ankle bells decorating His lotus feet.

8.18.3

मधुव्रतव्रातविघुष्टया स्वया विराजित: श्रीवनमालया हरि: । प्रजापतेर्वेश्मतम: स्वरोचिषा विनाशयन् कण्ठनिविष्टकौस्तुभ: ॥ ३ ॥

madhu-vrata-vrata-vighustaya svaya virajitah sri-vanamalaya harih prajapater vesma-tamah svarocisa vinasayan kantha-nivista-kaustubhah

An uncommonly beautiful garland of flowers decorated His bosom, and because the flowers were extremely fragrant, a large group of bees, making their natural humming sounds, invaded them for honey. When the Lord appeared, wearing the Kaustubha gem on His neck, His effulgence vanquished the darkness in the home of the Prajapati Kasyapa.

8.18.4

दिश: प्रसेदु: सलिलाशयास्तदा प्रजा: प्रहृष्टा ऋतवो गुणान्विता: । द्यौरन्तरीक्षं क्षितिरग्निजिह्वा गावो द्विजा: सञ्जहृषुर्नगाश्च ॥ ४ ॥

disah praseduh salilasayas tada prajah prahrsta rtavo gunanvitah dyaur antariksam ksitir agni-jihva gavo dvijah sanjahrsur nagas ca

At that time, there was happiness in all directions, in the reservoirs of water like the rivers and oceans, and in the core of everyone’s heart. The various seasons displayed their respective qualities, and all living entities in the upper planeary system, in outer space and on the surface of the earth were jubilant. The demigods, the cows, the brahmanas and the hills and mountains were all filled with joy.

8.18.5

श्रोणायां श्रवणद्वादश्यां मुहूर्तेऽभिजिति प्रभु: । सर्वे नक्षत्रताराद्याश्चक्रुस्तज्जन्म दक्षिणम् ॥ ५ ॥

sronayam sravana-dvadasyam muhurte ’bhijiti prabhuh sarve naksatra-taradyas cakrus taj-janma daksinam

On the day of Sravana-dvadasi (the twelfth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Bhadra), when the moon came into the lunar mansion Sravana, at the auspicious moment of Abhijit, the Lord appeared in this universe. Considering the Lord’s appearance very auspicious, all the stars and planes, from the sun to Saturn, were munificently charitable.

8.18.6

द्वादश्यां सवितातिष्ठन्मध्यन्दिनगतो नृप । विजयानाम सा प्रोक्ता यस्यां जन्म विदुर्हरे: ॥ ६ ॥

dvadasyam savitatisthan madhyandina-gato nrpa vijaya-nama sa prokta yasyam janma vidur hareh

O King, when the Lord appeared—on dvadasi, the twelfth day of the moon—the sun was at the meridian, as every learned scholar knows. This dvadasi is called Vijaya.

8.18.7

शङ्खदुन्दुभयो नेदुर्मृदङ्गपणवानका: । चित्रवादित्रतूर्याणां निर्घोषस्तुमुलोऽभवत् ॥ ७ ॥

sankha-dundubhayo nedur mrdanga-panavanakah citra-vaditra-turyanam nirghosas tumulo ’bhavat

Conchshells, kettledrums, drums, panavas and anakas vibrated in concert. The sound of these and various other instruments was tumultuous.

8.18.8

प्रीताश्चाप्सरसोऽनृत्यन्गन्धर्वप्रवरा जगु: । तुष्टुवुर्मुनयो देवा मनव: पितरोऽग्नय: ॥ ८ ॥

pritas capsaraso ’nrtyan gandharva-pravara jaguh tustuvur munayo deva manavah pitaro ’gnayah

Being very pleased, the celestial dancing girls (Apsaras) danced in jubilation, the best of the Gandharvas sang songs, and the great sages, demigods, Manus, Pitas and fire-gods offered prayers to satisfy the Lord.

8.18.9-10

सिद्धविद्याधरगणा: सकिम्पुरुषकिन्नरा: । चारणा यक्षरक्षांसि सुपर्णा भुजगोत्तमा: ॥ ९ ॥ गायन्तोऽतिप्रशंसन्तो नृत्यन्तो विबुधानुगा: । अदित्या आश्रमपदं कुसुमै: समवाकिरन् ॥ १० ॥

siddha-vidyadhara-ganah sakimpurusa-kinnarah carana yaksa-raksamsi suparna bhujagottamah gayanto ’tiprasamsanto nrtyanto vibudhanugah aditya asrama-padam kusumaih samavakiran

The Siddhas, Vidyadharas, Kimpurusas, Kinnaras, Caranas, Yaksas, Raksasas, Suparnas, the best of serpents, and the followers of the demigods all showered flowers on Aditi’s residence, covering the entire house, while glorifying and praising the Lord and dancing.

8.18.11

द‍ृष्ट्वादितिस्तं निजगर्भसम्भवं परं पुमांसं मुदमाप विस्मिता । गृहीतदेहं निजयोगमायया प्रजापतिश्चाह जयेति विस्मित: ॥ ११ ॥

drstvaditis tam nija-garbha-sambhavam param pumamsam mudam apa vismita grhita-deham nija-yoga-mayaya prajapatis caha jayeti vismitah

When Aditi saw the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who had appeared from her own womb, having accepted a transcendental body by His own spiritual potency, she was struck with wonder and was very happy. Upon seeing the child, Prajapati Kasyapa exclaimed, Jaya! Jaya in great happiness and wonder.

8.18.12

यत् तद् वपुर्भाति विभूषणायुधै- रव्यक्तचिद्वय‍क्तमधारयद्धरि: । बभूव तेनैव स वामनो वटु: सम्पश्यतोर्दिव्यगतिर्यथा नट: ॥ १२ ॥

yat tad vapur bhati vibhusanayudhair avyakta-cid-vyaktam adharayad dharih babhuva tenaiva sa vamano vatuh sampasyator divya-gatir yatha natah

The Lord appeared in His original form, with ornaments and weapons in His hands. Although this ever-existing form is not visible in the material world, He nonetheless appeared in this form. Then, in the presence of His father and mother, He assumed the form of Vamana, a brahmana-dwarf, a brahmacari, just like a theatrical actor.

8.18.13

तं वटुं वामनं द‍ृष्ट्वा मोदमाना महर्षय: । कर्माणि कारयामासु: पुरस्कृत्य प्रजापतिम् ॥ १३ ॥

tam vatum vamanam drstva modamana maharsayah karmani karayam asuh puraskrtya prajapatim

When the great sages saw the Lord as the brahmacari-dwarf Vamana, they were certainly very pleased. Thus they placed before them Kasyapa Muni, the Prajapati, and performed all the ritualistic ceremonies, such as the birthday ceremony.

8.18.14

तस्योपनीयमानस्य सावित्रीं सविताब्रवीत् । बृहस्पतिर्ब्रह्मसूत्रं मेखलां कश्यपोऽददात् ॥ १४ ॥

tasyopaniyamanasya savitrim savitabravit brhaspatir brahma-sutram mekhalam kasyapo ’dadat

At the sacred thread ceremony of Vamanadeva, the sun-god personally uttered the Gayatri mantra, Brhaspati offered the sacred thread, and Kasyapa Muni offered a straw belt.

8.18.15

ददौ कृष्णाजिनं भूमिर्दण्डं सोमो वनस्पति: । कौपीनाच्छादनं माता द्यौश्छत्रं जगत: पते: ॥ १५ ॥

dadau krsnajinam bhumir dandam somo vanaspatih kaupinacchadanam mata dyaus chatram jagatah pateh

Mother earth gave Him a deerskin, and the demigod of the moon, who is the king of the forest, gave Him a brahma-danda (the rod of a brahmacari). His mother, Aditi, gave Him cloth for underwear, and the deity presiding over the heavenly kingdom offered Him an umbrella.

8.18.16

कमण्डलुं वेदगर्भ: कुशान्सप्तर्षयो ददु: । अक्षमालां महाराज सरस्वत्यव्ययात्मन: ॥ १६ ॥

kamandalum veda-garbhah kusan saptarsayo daduh aksa-malam maharaja sarasvaty avyayatmanah

O King, Lord Brahma offered a waterpot to the inexhaustible Supreme Personality of Godhead, the seven sages offered Him kusa grass, and mother Sarasvati gave Him a string of Rudraksa beads.

8.18.17

तस्मा इत्युपनीताय यक्षराट् पात्रिकामदात् । भिक्षां भगवती साक्षादुमादादम्बिका सती ॥ १७ ॥

tasma ity upanitaya yaksa-rat patrikam adat bhiksam bhagavati saksad umadad ambika sati

When Vamanadeva had thus been given the sacred thread, Kuvera, King of the Yaksas, gave Him a pot for begging alms, and mother Bhagavati, the wife of Lord Siva and most chaste mother of the entire universe, gave Him His first alms.

8.18.18

स ब्रह्मवर्चसेनैवं सभां सम्भावितो वटु: । ब्रह्मर्षिगणसञ्जुष्टामत्यरोचत मारिष: ॥ १८ ॥

sa brahma-varcasenaivam sabham sambhavito vatuh brahmarsi-gana-sanjustam atyarocata marisah

Having thus been welcomed by everyone, Lord Vamanadeva, the best of the brahmacaris, exhibited His Brahman effulgence. Thus He surpassed in beauty that entire assembly, which was filled with great saintly brahmanas.

8.18.19

समिद्धमाहितं वह्निं कृत्वा परिसमूहनम् । परिस्तीर्य समभ्यर्च्य समिद्भ‍िरजुहोद् द्विज: ॥ १९ ॥

samiddham ahitam vahnim krtva parisamuhanam paristirya samabhyarcya samidbhir ajuhod dvijah

After Lord Sri Vamanadeva set a sacrificial fire, He offered worship and performed a fire sacrifice on the sacrificial field.

8.18.20

श्रुत्वाश्वमेधैर्यजमानमूर्जितं बलिं भृगूणामुपकल्पितैस्तत: । जगाम तत्राखिलसारसम्भृतो भारेण गां सन्नमयन्पदे पदे ॥ २० ॥

srutvasvamedhair yajamanam urjitam balim bhrgunam upakalpitais tatah jagama tatrakhila-sara-sambhrto bharena gam sannamayan pade pade

When the Lord heard that Bali Maharaja was performing asvamedha sacrifices under the patronage of brahmanas belonging to the Bhrgu dynasty, the Supreme Lord, who is full in every respect, proceeded there to show His mercy to Bali Maharaja. By His weight, He pushed down the earth with every step.

8.18.21

तं नर्मदायास्तट उत्तरे बले- र्य ऋत्विजस्ते भृगुकच्छसंज्ञके । प्रवर्तयन्तो भृगव: क्रतूत्तमं व्यचक्षतारादुदितं यथा रविम् ॥ २१ ॥

tam narmadayas tata uttare baler ya rtvijas te bhrgukaccha-samjnake pravartayanto bhrgavah kratuttamam vyacaksatarad uditam yatha ravim

While engaged in performing the sacrifice in the field known as Bhrgukaccha, on the northern bank of the Narmada River, the brahminical priests, the descendants of Bhrgu, saw Vamanadeva to be like the sun rising nearby.

8.18.22

ते ऋत्विजो यजमान: सदस्या हतत्विषो वामनतेजसा नृप । सूर्य: किलायात्युत वा विभावसु: सनत्कुमारोऽथ दिद‍ृक्षया क्रतो: ॥ २२ ॥

te rtvijo yajamanah sadasya hata-tviso vamana-tejasa nrpa suryah kilayaty uta va vibhavasuh sanat-kumaro ’tha didrksaya kratoh

O King, because of Vamanadeva’s bright effulgence, the priests, along with Bali Maharaja and all the members of the assembly, were robbed of their splendor. Thus they began to ask one another whether the sun-god himself, Sanat-kumara or the fire-god had personally come to see the sacrificial ceremony.

8.18.23

इत्थं सशिष्येषु भृगुष्वनेकधा वितर्क्यमाणो भगवान्स वामन: । छत्रं सदण्डं सजलं कमण्डलुं विवेश बिभ्रद्धयमेधवाटम् ॥ २३ ॥

ittham sasisyesu bhrgusv anekadha vitarkyamano bhagavan sa vamanah chatram sadandam sajalam kamandalum vivesa bibhrad dhayamedha-vatam

While the priests of the Bhrgu dynasty and their disciples talked and argued in various ways, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vamanadeva, holding in His hands the rod, the umbrella and a waterpot full of water, entered the arena of the asvamedha sacrifice.

8.18.24-25

मौञ्‍ज्या मेखलया वीतमुपवीताजिनोत्तरम् । जटिलं वामनं विप्रं मायामाणवकं हरिम् ॥ २४ ॥ प्रविष्टं वीक्ष्य भृगव: सशिष्यास्ते सहाग्निभि: । प्रत्यगृह्णन्समुत्थाय सङ्‌क्षिप्तास्तस्य तेजसा ॥ २५ ॥

maunjya mekhalaya vitam upavitajinottaram jatilam vamanam vipram maya-manavakam harim pravistam viksya bhrgavah sasisyas te sahagnibhih pratyagrhnan samutthaya sanksiptas tasya tejasa

Appearing as a brahmana boy, wearing a belt of straw, a sacred thread, an upper garment of deerskin, and matted locks of hair, Lord Vamanadeva entered the arena of sacrifice. His brilliant effulgence diminished the brilliance of all the priests and their disciples, who thus stood from their seats and welcomed the Lord properly by offering obeisances.

8.18.26

यजमान: प्रमुदितो दर्शनीयं मनोरमम् । रूपानुरूपावयवं तस्मा आसनमाहरत् ॥ २६ ॥

yajamanah pramudito darsaniyam manoramam rupanurupavayavam tasma asanam aharat

Bali Maharaja, jubilant at seeing Lord Vamanadeva, whose beautiful limbs contributed equally to the beauty of His entire body, offered Him a seat with great satisfaction.

8.18.27

स्वागतेनाभिनन्द्याथ पादौ भगवतो बलि: । अवनिज्यार्चयामास मुक्तसङ्गमनोरमम् ॥ २७ ॥

svagatenabhinandyatha padau bhagavato balih avanijyarcayam asa mukta-sanga-manoramam

Thus offering a proper reception to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is always beautiful to the liberated souls, Bali Maharaja worshiped Him by washing His lotus feet.

8.18.28

तत्पादशौचं जनकल्मषापहं स धर्मविन्मूर्ध्‍न्यदधात् सुमङ्गलम् । यद् देवदेवो गिरिशश्चन्द्रमौलि- र्दधार मूर्ध्ना परया च भक्त्या ॥ २८ ॥

tat-pada-saucam jana-kalmasapaham sa dharma-vin murdhny adadhat sumangalam yad deva-devo girisas candra-maulir dadhara murdhna paraya ca bhaktya

Lord Siva, the best of demigods, who carries on his forehead the emblem of the moon, receives on his head with great devotion the Ganges water emanating from the toe of Visnu. Being aware of religious principles, Bali Maharaja knew this. Consequently, following in the footsteps of Lord Siva, he also placed on his head the water that had washed the Lord’s lotus feet.

8.18.29

श्रीबलिरुवाच स्वागतं ते नमस्तुभ्यं ब्रह्मन्किं करवाम ते । ब्रह्मर्षीणां तप: साक्षान्मन्ये त्वार्य वपुर्धरम् ॥ २९ ॥

sri-balir uvaca svagatam te namas tubhyam brahman kim karavama te brahmarsinam tapah saksan manye tvarya vapur-dharam

Bali Maharaja then said to Lord Vamanadeva: O brahmana, I offer You my hearty welcome and my respectful obeisances. Please let us know what we may do for You. We think of You as the personified austerity of the great brahmana-sages.

8.18.30

अद्य न: पितरस्तृप्ता अद्य न: पावितं कुलम् । अद्य स्विष्ट: क्रतुरयं यद् भवानागतो गृहान् ॥ ३० ॥

adya nah pitaras trpta adya nah pavitam kulam adya svistah kratur ayam yad bhavan agato grhan

O my Lord, because You have kindly arrived at our home, all my forefathers are satisfied, our family and entire dynasty have been sanctified, and the sacrifice we are performing is now complete because of Your presence.

8.18.31

अद्याग्नयो मे सुहुता यथाविधि द्विजात्मज त्वच्चरणावनेजनै: । हतांहसो वार्भिरियं च भूरहो तथा पुनीता तनुभि: पदैस्तव ॥ ३१ ॥

adyagnayo me suhuta yatha-vidhi dvijatmaja tvac-caranavanejanaih hatamhaso varbhir iyam ca bhur aho tatha punita tanubhih padais tava

O son of a brahmana, today the fire of sacrifice is ablaze according to the injunction of the sastra, and I have been freed from all the sinful reactions of my life by the water that has washed Your lotus feet. O my Lord, by the touch of Your small lotus feet the entire surface of the world has been sanctified.

8.18.32

यद् वटो वाञ्छसि तत्प्रतीच्छ मे त्वामर्थिनं विप्रसुतानुतर्कये । गां काञ्चनं गुणवद् धाम मृष्टं तथान्नपेयमुत वा विप्रकन्याम् । ग्रामान् समृद्धांस्तुरगान् गजान् वा रथांस्तथार्हत्तम सम्प्रतीच्छ ॥ ३२ ॥

yad yad vato vanchasi tat praticcha me tvam arthinam vipra-sutanutarkaye gam kancanam gunavad dhama mrstam tathanna-peyam uta va vipra-kanyam graman samrddhams turagan gajan va rathams tatharhattama sampraticcha

O son of a brahmana, it appears that You have come here to ask me for something. Therefore, whatever You want You may take from me. O best of those who are worshipable. You may take from me a cow, gold, a furnished house, palatable food and drink, the daughter of a brahmana for Your wife, prosperous villages, horses, elephants, chariots or whatever You desire.