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Bāla Kāṇḍa, sarga 28: Story of Siddhāśrama: Vāmana’s three strides
Summary. Viśvāmitra recounts Vāmana’s three strides and the restoration of Indra’s realm, then begins his observance with the brothers as guards
Sequence
- Viśvāmitra identifies the place as Siddhāśrama, the former hermitage of Vāmana, where perfection was attained (1.28.1–2)
- he recounts how Bali, son of Virocana, conquered the Devas and held their realm → while Bali performed a great sacrifice, the Devas led by Agni asked Viṣṇu to intervene before its completion (1.28.3–5)
- because Bali granted petitioners whatever they requested, they asked Viṣṇu to approach in a dwarf's form (1.28.6–8)
- born to Aditi, Viṣṇu became Vāmana, asked Bali for three paces of land, and received them → he strode across the worlds, subdued Bali, and restored the three worlds to Indra. Viśvāmitra explains that devotion to Vāmana led him to live in this hermitage, where the rākṣasas now obstruct his rites (1.28.9–11)
- he tells Rāma to regard it as his own home too (1.28.12–14)
- its resident munis welcome Viśvāmitra and perform the guest rites for both princes (1.28.15–16)
- after resting, the brothers ask him to enter dīkṣā that very day and make Siddhāśrama truly a place of accomplishment → he enters dīkṣā (ritual initiation) → the princes pass the night there and salute him at dawn. (1.28.17–20)
Verses 1.28.1–20
1.28.1
atha tasyāprameyasya tad vanaṃ paripṛcchataḥ
viśvāmitro mahātejā vyākhyātum upacakrame
Then, as that immeasurable one asked about the forest, Viśvāmitra of great splendour began to explain:
Words: atha — then; tasyāprameyasya — of that immeasurable one; tad vanaṃ — that forest; paripṛcchataḥ — of (him) asking about; viśvāmitro — Viśvāmitra; mahātejā — of great splendour; vyākhyātum — to explain; upacakrame — began
1.28.2
eṣa pūrvāśramo rāma vāmanasya mahātmanaḥ
siddhāśrama iti khyātaḥ siddho hy atra mahātapāḥ
This, Rāma, was once the hermitage of the great-souled Vāmana; it is renowned as Siddhāśrama, for here the great ascetic attained perfection.
Words: eṣa — this; pūrvāśramo — the former hermitage; rāma — O Rāma; vāmanasya — of Vāmana; mahātmanaḥ — the great-souled; siddhāśrama — Siddhāśrama; iti — thus; khyātaḥ — renowned, called; siddho — attained perfection; hy — for; atra — here; mahātapāḥ — the great ascetic
1.28.3
etasminn eva kāle tu rājā vairocanir baliḥ
nirjitya daivatagaṇān sendrāṃś ca samarudgaṇān
kārayām āsa tad rājyaṃ triṣu lokeṣu viśrutaḥ
At just this time King Bali, son of Virocana, having conquered the hosts of gods together with Indra and the troops of Maruts, held sway over that realm, famed throughout the three worlds.
Words: etasminn — at this; eva — very, just; kāle — time; tu — and; rājā — king; vairocanir — son of Virocana; baliḥ — Bali; nirjitya — having conquered; daivatagaṇān — the hosts of gods; sendrāṃś — together with Indra; ca — and; samarudgaṇān — with the troops of Maruts; kārayām āsa — held sway over, administered; tad rājyaṃ — that kingdom; triṣu — in the three; lokeṣu — worlds; viśrutaḥ — famed, renowned
1.28.4
bales tu yajamānasya devāḥ sāgnipurogamāḥ
samāgamya svayaṃ caiva viṣṇum ūcur ihāśrame
But while Bali was performing a sacrifice, the gods, with Agni at their head, having assembled, themselves spoke to Viṣṇu here in the hermitage:
Words: bales — of Bali; tu — but; yajamānasya — of him performing sacrifice; devāḥ — the gods; sāgnipurogamāḥ — with Agni at their head; samāgamya — having assembled; svayaṃ — themselves; caiva — and; viṣṇum — to Viṣṇu; ūcur — said; ihāśrame — here in the hermitage
1.28.5
balir vairocanir viṣṇo yajate yajñam uttamam
asamāpte kratau tasmin svakāryam abhipadyatām
“Bali, son of Virocana, O Viṣṇu, is performing a supreme sacrifice; before that rite is completed, let our own cause be attended to.
Words: balir — Bali; vairocanir — son of Virocana; viṣṇo — O Viṣṇu; yajate — is performing, sacrifices; yajñam — a sacrifice; uttamam — supreme, highest; asamāpte — not (yet) completed; kratau — in the rite, sacrifice; tasmin — that; svakāryam — our own affair, our cause; abhipadyatām — let it be undertaken, attended to
1.28.6
ye cainam abhivartante yācitāra itas tataḥ
yac ca yatra yathāvac ca sarvaṃ tebhyaḥ prayacchati
And whatever petitioners approach him from here and there — whatever, wherever, and in whatever due manner — all of it he gives to them.
Words: ye — those who; cainam — and him; abhivartante — approach, come toward; yācitāra — petitioners, suppliants; itas tataḥ — from here and there; yac — whatever; ca — and; yatra — wherever; yathāvac — in due manner, duly; ca — and; sarvaṃ — all; tebhyaḥ — to them; prayacchati — he gives, bestows
1.28.7
sa tvaṃ surahitārthāya māyāyogam upāśritaḥ
vāmanatvaṃ gato viṣṇo kuru kalyāṇam uttamam
Therefore you, for the welfare of the gods, resorting to the exercise of illusion and assuming dwarf-hood, O Viṣṇu — accomplish this supreme benefaction.
Words: sa — that one (you as such); tvaṃ — you; surahitārthāya — for the welfare of the gods; māyāyogam — the exercise of illusion; upāśritaḥ — having resorted to, relying on; vāmanatvaṃ — dwarf-hood, the state of a dwarf; gato — having gone to, assumed; viṣṇo — O Viṣṇu; kuru — do, accomplish; kalyāṇam — benefaction, good, welfare; uttamam — supreme
1.28.8
ayaṃ siddhāśramo nāma prasādāt te bhaviṣyati
siddhe karmaṇi deveśa uttiṣṭha bhagavann itaḥ
This will become known as Siddhāśrama by your grace; when the deed is accomplished, O lord of gods, arise from here, O venerable one.”
Words: ayaṃ — this; siddhāśramo — Siddhāśrama; nāma — by name; prasādāt — by the grace; te — your; bhaviṣyati — will become; siddhe — accomplished, completed; karmaṇi — in the deed, work; deveśa — O lord of gods; uttiṣṭha — arise, stand up; bhagavann — O venerable one; itaḥ — from here
1.28.9
atha viṣṇur mahātejā adityāṃ samajāyata
vāmanaṃ rūpam āsthāya vairocanim upāgamat
Then Viṣṇu of great splendour was born of Aditi; and, assuming the form of a dwarf, he approached the son of Virocana.
Words: atha — then; viṣṇur — Viṣṇu; mahātejā — of great splendour; adityāṃ — of Aditi; samajāyata — was born; vāmanaṃ — dwarf; rūpam — form; āsthāya — having assumed, taken on; vairocanim — the son of Virocana (Bali); upāgamat — approached, went up to
1.28.10
trīn kramān atha bhikṣitvā pratigṛhya ca mānataḥ
ākramya lokāṃl lokātmā sarvabhūtahite rataḥ
Then, having begged for three paces and duly received them, the Soul of the worlds, devoted to the good of all beings, strode across the worlds;
Words: trīn — three; kramān — paces, strides; atha — then; bhikṣitvā — having begged for; pratigṛhya — having received; ca — and; mānataḥ — with due honour, duly; ākramya — having strode over, stepped across; lokāṃl — the worlds; lokātmā — the Soul of the worlds; sarvabhūtahite — in the welfare of all beings; rataḥ — devoted, delighting
1.28.11
mahendrāya punaḥ prādān niyamya balim ojasā
trailokyaṃ sa mahātejāś cakre śakravaśaṃ punaḥ
having subdued Bali by his might, he gave the worlds back to great Indra; and that one of great splendour made the three worlds subject to Śakra once more.
Words: mahendrāya — to great Indra; punaḥ — again; prādān — gave, bestowed; niyamya — having restrained, subdued; balim — Bali; ojasā — by (his) might; trailokyaṃ — the three worlds; sa — he; mahātejāś — of great splendour; cakre — made; śakravaśaṃ — subject to Śakra (Indra); punaḥ — again
1.28.12
tenaiṣa pūrvam ākrānta āśramaḥ śramanāśanaḥ
mayāpi bhaktyā tasyaiṣa vāmanasyopabhujyate
By him, in old times, was this hermitage occupied — the hermitage that dispels weariness; and out of devotion I too now dwell in this hermitage of that Vāmana.
Words: tenaiṣa — by him this; pūrvam — formerly, in old times; ākrānta — occupied, taken possession of; āśramaḥ — hermitage; śramanāśanaḥ — dispelling weariness; mayāpi — by me too; bhaktyā — with devotion; tasyaiṣa — this (hermitage) of that one; vāmanasyopabhujyate — of Vāmana it is dwelt in
1.28.13
etam āśramam āyānti rākṣasā vighnakāriṇaḥ
atra te puruṣavyāghra hantavyā duṣṭacāriṇaḥ
To this hermitage come rākṣasas who work obstruction; here, O tiger among men, these evildoers are to be slain by you.
Words: etam — this; āśramam — hermitage; āyānti — come, approach; rākṣasā — rākṣasas; vighnakāriṇaḥ — working obstruction, causing hindrance; atra — here; te — by you; puruṣavyāghra — O tiger among men; hantavyā — to be slain; duṣṭacāriṇaḥ — evildoers, of wicked conduct
1.28.14
adya gacchāmahe rāma siddhāśramam anuttamam
tad āśramapadaṃ tāta tavāpy etad yathā mama
Today, Rāma, we shall go to the peerless Siddhāśrama; that hermitage-place, my dear, is yours as much as mine.
Words: adya — today; gacchāmahe — we shall go; rāma — O Rāma; siddhāśramam — Siddhāśrama; anuttamam — peerless; tad — that; āśramapadaṃ — hermitage-place; tāta — my dear, my child; tavāpy — yours too; etad — this; yathā — just as; mama — mine
1.28.15
taṃ dṛṣṭvā munayaḥ sarve siddhāśramanivāsinaḥ
utpatyotpatya sahasā viśvāmitram apūjayan
Seeing him, all the sages dwelling in Siddhāśrama, springing up again and again, at once honoured Viśvāmitra.
Words: taṃ — him; dṛṣṭvā — having seen; munayaḥ — the sages; sarve — all; siddhāśramanivāsinaḥ — dwelling in Siddhāśrama; utpatyotpatya — springing up again and again; sahasā — at once, suddenly; viśvāmitram — Viśvāmitra; apūjayan — honoured, worshipped
1.28.16
yathārhaṃ cakrire pūjāṃ viśvāmitrāya dhīmate
tathaiva rājaputrābhyām akurvann atithikriyām
They rendered fitting honour to the wise Viśvāmitra, and likewise performed the guest-rite for the two princes.
Words: yathārhaṃ — fittingly, as is due; cakrire — they made, rendered; pūjāṃ — honour, worship; viśvāmitrāya — to Viśvāmitra; dhīmate — the wise; tathaiva — and likewise; rājaputrābhyām — for the two princes; akurvann — they performed, did; atithikriyām — the guest-rite, hospitality
1.28.17
muhūrtam atha viśrāntau rājaputrāv ariṃdamau
prāñjalī muniśārdūlam ūcatū raghunandanau
Then, having rested a while, the two princes, tamers of foes, delights of the Raghus, with palms joined said to the tiger among sages:
Words: muhūrtam — for a while, a moment; atha — then; viśrāntau — the two, having rested; rājaputrāv — the two princes; ariṃdamau — tamers of foes (dual); prāñjalī — with palms joined (dual); muniśārdūlam — to the tiger among sages; ūcatū — the two said; raghunandanau — the two delights of the Raghus (dual)
1.28.18
adyaiva dīkṣāṃ praviśa bhadraṃ te munipuṃgava
siddhāśramo 'yaṃ siddhaḥ syāt satyam astu vacas tava
“This very day enter upon the consecration, blessings on you, O bull among sages; let this Siddhāśrama be truly a place of perfection — let your word come true.”
Words: adyaiva — this very day; dīkṣāṃ — the consecration, ritual initiation; praviśa — enter upon; bhadraṃ — a blessing; te — to you; munipuṃgava — O bull among sages; siddhāśramo 'yaṃ — this Siddhāśrama; siddhaḥ — perfected, successful; syāt — let it be, may it be; satyam — true; astu — let it be; vacas — word; tava — your
1.28.19
evam ukto mahātejā viśvāmitro mahāmuniḥ
praviveśa tadā dīkṣāṃ niyato niyatendriyaḥ
Addressed thus, the great sage Viśvāmitra of great splendour then entered upon the consecration, self-restrained, his senses controlled.
Words: evam ukto — addressed thus; mahātejā — of great splendour; viśvāmitro — Viśvāmitra; mahāmuniḥ — the great sage; praviveśa — entered; tadā — then; dīkṣāṃ — the consecration; niyato — self-restrained; niyatendriyaḥ — his senses controlled
1.28.20
kumārāv api tāṃ rātrim uṣitvā susamāhitau
prabhātakāle cotthāya viśvāmitram avandatām
The two princes too, having passed that night well composed, rose at daybreak and saluted Viśvāmitra.
Words: kumārāv — the two princes; api — too; tāṃ — that; rātrim — night; uṣitvā — having passed, dwelt through; susamāhitau — well composed (dual); prabhātakāle — at daybreak; cotthāya — and having risen; viśvāmitram — Viśvāmitra; avandatām — the two saluted, bowed to
← 1.27 Divine weapons: Rāma learns their withdrawal · Bāla Kāṇḍa · 1.29 Protection of Siddhāśrama: Rāma’s three astras →
Composed by Maharṣi Vālmīki, the ādikavi of the ādikāvya: the first poet of the first poem. Sanskrit: The Vālmīki-Rāmāyaṇa: Critical Edition, Oriental Institute, Baroda, 1960–1975 (gen. eds. G. H. Bhatt, U. P. Shah); IAST from GRETIL (Göttingen). Translation and word glosses: Claude Opus 4.6–4.7; summaries and sequences: ChatGPT Astra (machine-made). Numbering follows the Critical Edition, not the vulgate (e.g. Gita Press, valmikiramayan.net), so sarga and verse numbers can differ from those editions.
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