*SKANDHA VIII. CHAPS. 15-23.*
Bali, son of Virochana and grandson of Prahlada, was once defeated by
Indra. His Guru, Sukra, advised him to perform the Visvajit sacrifice.
When _ghee_ was offered at the sacrifice, one chariot, some green
coloured horses, one lion-marked flag, one golden bow, two quivers with
an inexhaustible store of arrows, and one divine _kavacha_ (protective
charm) arose from the fire. Bali gladly accepted these things. Prahlada
also gave him a fresh garland and Sukra gave him a conch.
Equipped with these things Bali attacked Svarga. Brihaspati told Indra
the time was inauspicious and the Devas could not succeed without the
help of Vishnu. He advised them to give in and to remain concealed
somewhere, till the time came for their ascendancy. The Devas followed
the advice of Brihaspati and Bali became the king of Triloki.
Sukra advised Bali to perform one hundred Asvamedha sacrifices.
Aditi became disconsolate at the down-fall of her sons. She asked her
husband Kasyapa what to do for her sons. The Prajapati advised her to
observe Payoravata in honor of Vishnu (for details, see the original).
She observed the Vrata for 12 days when Vishnu appeared before her and
assured her He would incarnate as her son.
Vamana was born of Aditi at midday, on the 12th day of the moon, during
the white quarter in the month of Bhadra, while the moon was in the
first part of Sravana, in the Abhijit.
(Vamana = Dwarf). Vamana heard that Bali was performing Asvamedha on the
banks of the Narmada. He went there and Bali received him duly and
enquired what he wanted, expressing his willingness to gratify him
fully. Vamana asked for only three paces of ground. Bali laughed at this
modest prayer and asked him to take more land. But Vamana excused
himself, saying a Brahmana should be content with small things only.
Bali laughed again and at once said "Then accept." He then took the
water pot to make the formal gift. Sukra perceived the object of Vishnu.
He tried to dissuade Bali from carrying out his promise. "This is not a
dwarf Brahmana but Vishnu Himself. By one pace he will cover the whole
of Bhur Loka and Bhuvar Loka. By the second pace, He will cover Svar
Loka and what then will become of the third pace? You will have to go to
Naraka for not being able to fulfil your promise. And where shall you
yourself remain after giving over all you have? Therefore desist from
what you are doing. No doubt truth is preferable. But the Vedas also
allow untruth in extreme cases."
Bali replied: -- "The grandson of Prahlada shall never speak an untruth.
I will give to this Brahmana boy what I have promised, even if he be
Vishnu and my enemy too."
Sukra said in anger -- "You disregard the words of your Guru. So you
shall forthwith lose everything."
Bali remained unmoved. He worshipped the Brahmana boy and read out the
formal Mantra of giving over three paces of land. Vindhyavali, the
virtuous consort of Bali, at this time placed a golden pitcher filled
with water before her husband. He washed the feet of Vamana with that
water, and sprinkled it over his head. Then Vamana wonderfully grew in
size. The whole Universe became visible in him. He seized the whole of
Bhur Loka with one pace the whole of Bhuvar Loka with his body, and the
directions in space with his hands, so that even the whole of Svar Loka
became insufficient for the second pace. But nothing remained for the
third pace. For the second pace of Vamana passed through Mahar Loka,
Jana Loka, Tapas Loka and reached even Satya Loka.
The Asuras exclaimed: -- "By what an unjust device has our king been
deprived of all! It is no sin to fight with this disgrace of a Brahmana,
this deceitful Vishnu." So they engaged in fight with the followers of
Vishnu, but were defeated by them.
Bali told his followers there was no use fighting, for Kala was against
them. The same Bhagavan who had favored them was now in opposition.
Garuda, knowing the intention of Vishnu, tied Bali with the noose of
Varuna.
Vamana then addressing Bali said: -- "Where is your promised ground for
my third pace? You have told a lie. You do not carry out your promise to
a Brahmana. For this you will have to go to Naraka."
Bali said: -- "Do not think I told an untruth or that I mean to deceive
thee. Here is my head for the third pace. I am not so much afraid of the
Naraka thou art speaking of, nor of this noose, nor of any troubles I
may undergo, nor of any punishment thou mayest inflict on me as I am
afraid of doing anything for which good people will blame me. I deem
this punishment an act of favor a favor shewn perhaps out of
consideration for my grand-father Prahlada. For this kingdom only
maddened me with power and made me forget my end. And what shall I do
with this body too? True thou art my enemy, but this loss of kingdom has
brought me nearer to thee."
Prahlada appeared at this time. He bowed down to Vamana and said: -- "It
is thou that didst give the kingdom of Triloki to Bali and it is thou
that hast taken it away and really thou hast shewn him a favor by doing
so. For power maddens a man and blinds him as to his real self."
Vindhyavali said: -- "O Lord, Thou art the Creator, the Preserver, and
the Destroyer of Triloki. Who else could own it besides Thyself? It was
the height of presumption to pretend to give the Triloki to you." Brahma
said: -- "O Deva of Devas, all-pervading Lord, thou hast taken away
everything from this Bali. He has also given himself up entirely to
Thee, without being moved in the least. He does not now deserve to
remain tied up."
Bhagavan said: -- "O Brahma, I take away all his riches from him whom I
favor. For one proud of riches disregards both myself and others. When
after many births the Jiva happens to become a man, and when in that
birth he is found not to entertain any pride of birth, karma, age,
beauty, wisdom, power, wealth and other things, you should know that to
be my favor. One constantly devoted to me is not led away by anything
apt to beget pride.
"This king of Danavas and Daityas has now conquered Maya. So he is not
beside himself even in grief. His wealth gone, his position lost,
himself overpowered and chained by enemies, forsaken by friends, reviled
and cursed by his own preceptor, and what not, this Bali did not give up
Truth.
"I will give him a place, difficult for others to attain. He shall be
the Indra of Savarni Manvantara. Till then let him reside in Sutala. By
my wish, the dwellers of Sutala shall have no mental or bodily pain, no
fatigue, no sleepiness, no defeat and no misfortune. Bless thee, O
Maharaj, go to Sutala with thy clan. Sutala is even wished for by those
that dwell in Svarga. Even the Lokapalas shall not be able to overpower
thee. What of others? If any Daitya does not follow thee, I will kill
him by my Chakra. By all means I will preserve thee and thy followers.
There you shall always find me at your door. Thy Asura nature shall be
there entirely destroyed under my influence."
Prahlada was also ordered by Bhagavan to accompany Bali to Sutala. So
they all went to Sutala.