ŏh emperumān, who stood near mahābali to take the water as symbolic of taking alms! —

 accepting the water which was given in charity —

accepting the water which mahābali poured on his hand —

taking alms —

taking water as indication of accepting alms —

taking water from mahābali as a symbol of taking alms from him —

accepting water as symbolic of alms (from mahābali) —

accepting water (given as sign of giving alms, from mahābali) —