The Story of Bali
Skandha VIII. Chaps. 15-23
Bali, son of Virochana and grandson of Prahlâda, 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. Prahlâda 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 Trilokî.
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 Prajâpati advised her to observe Payōravata 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.
Vâmana was born of Aditi at midday, on the 12th day of the moon, during the white quarter in the month of Bhâdra, while the moon was in the first part of Sravanâ, in the Abhijit.
(Vâmana = Dwarf). Vâmana heard that Bali was performing Asvamedha on the banks of the Narmadâ. He went there and Bali received him duly and enquired what he wanted, expressing his willingness to gratify him fully. Vâmana asked for only three paces of ground. Bali laughed at this modest prayer and asked him to take more land. But Vâmana excused himself, saying a Brâhmana 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 Brâhmana but Vishnu Himself. By one pace he will cover the whole of Bhûr 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 Prahlâda shall never speak an untruth. I will give to this Brâhmana 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 Brâhmana boy and read out the formal Mantra of giving over three paces of land. Vindhyâvali, the virtuous consort of Bali, at this time placed a golden pitcher filled with water before her husband. He washed the feet of Vâmana with that water, and sprinkled it over his head. Then Vâmana wonderfully grew in size. The whole Universe became visible in him. He seized the whole of Bhûr 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 Vâmana 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 Brâhmana, 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 Bhagavân who had favored them was now in opposition.
Garuda, knowing the intention of Vishnu, tied Bali with the noose of Varuna.
Vâmana 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 Brâhmana. 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 Prahlâda. 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.”
Prahlâda appeared at this time. He bowed down to Vâmana and said: — “It is thou that didst give the kingdom of Trilokî 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.”
Vindhyâvali said: — “O Lord, Thou art the Creator, the Preserver, and the Destroyer of Trilokî. Who else could own it besides Thyself? It was the height of presumption to pretend to give the Trilokî to you.” Brahmâ 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.”
Bhagavân said: — “O Brahmâ, 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 Dânavas and Daityas has now conquered Mâyâ. 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 Sâvarni 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 Lokapâlas 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.”
Prahlâda was also ordered by Bhagavân to accompany Bali to Sutala. So they all went to Sutala.