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Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.3.19
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A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
TEXT 19
- pañcadaśaṁ vāmanakaṁ
- kṛtvāgād adhvaraṁ baleḥ
- pada-trayaṁ yācamānaḥ
- pratyāditsus tri-piṣṭapam
pañcadaśamthe fifteenth in the line — the fifteenth in the line; vāmanakamthe dwarf brāhmaṇa — the dwarf brāhmaṇa; kṛtvāby assumption of — by assumption of; agātwent — went; adhvaramarena of sacrifice — arena of sacrifice; baleḥof King Bali — of King Bali; padathree steps only-trayamthree steps only — three steps only; yācamānaḥbegging — begging; pratyāditsuḥwilling at heart to return — willing at heart to return; trithe kingdom of the three planetary systems-piṣṭapamthe kingdom of the three planetary systems — the kingdom of the three planetary systems.
In the fifteenth incarnation, the Lord assumed the form of a dwarf-brāhmaṇa [Vāmana] and visited the arena of sacrifice arranged by Mahārāja Bali. Although at heart He was willing to regain the kingdom of the three planetary systems, He simply asked for a donation of three steps of land.
The Almighty God can bestow upon anyone the kingdom of the universe from a very small beginning, and similarly, He can take away the kingdom of the universe on the plea of begging a small piece of land.