King Bali, Vishnu & Poem Analysis

• The text consists of a conversation and a poem, along with their meanings and explanations, likely for study purposes.

Conversation Explanation

• A wise figure advises a generous donor, King Bali, against giving a gift to a seemingly small person.
• The small person is actually Vishnu, who will grow and take over everything, which no one can stop.
• The advice is to not give the gift to this particular "brahmachari" (celibate student) named Vamana.

Poem Analysis

• The poem questions where past kings, their kingdoms, and their pride have gone.
• It asks if they could take their wealth with them and if their names still remain on Earth.
• Figures like Shibi are mentioned, they are known for fulfilling desires and gaining fame.
• The poem emphasizes that even in the present time Shibi and others haven't been forgotten.
• The overall meaning is that kings existed in the past and had kingdoms, pride, and wealth; however, they could not take any of it with them when they died.
• The memory of those like Shibi, who gave to those in need, remains even to this day.