TEXT 19
pancadasam vamanakam
krtvagad adhvaram baleh
pada-trayam yacamanah
pratyaditsus tri-pistapam
SYNONYMS
pancadasamthe fifteenth in the line; vamanakamthe dwarf brahmana; krtvaby assumption of; agatwent; adhvaramarena of sacrifice; balehof King Bali; pada-trayamthree steps only; yacamanahbegging; pratyaditsuhwilling at heart to return; tri-pistapamthe kingdom of the three planetary systems.
TRANSLATION
In the fifteenth incarnation, the Lord assumed the form of a dwarf-brahmana [Vamana] and visited the arena of sacrifice arranged by Maharaja 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.
PURPORT
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.

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