Thoughts on the Above
We now find Bali shorn of all materialism and restored to spiritual purity. We can well understand the removal of Bali from the kingdom of Trilokî, for the cyclic movement was tending that way since the last Manvantara, and the Devas were to have supremacy over Trilokî. We have to study the future of Bali, as holding further light for us.
We must repeat here the distinction made between the two classes of Asuras: Daityas and Dânavas. The Daityas trace their origin to the gate-keepers of Vishnu. They had inherent Satva in them, which was eclipsed in their downfall. Therefore, though they acted as materialistic forces following the cyclic tendency, they were themselves not incapable of spiritual development Thus we find words of wisdom and spirituality in Vritra, in Hiranyakasipu, unselfish devotion in Prahlâda, and complete resignation in Bali. Hiranyâksha and Hiranyakasipu went back to their old place in Vaikuntha. Vritra became united with Sankarshana. Prahlâda is immortal in his unselfish mission, and we have just heard the future of Bali. The Maruts become Devas after their very birth.
Therefore there is no extinction for the Asuras, except for those that do not follow Bali and do not place themselves under the influence of Vishnu. The cyclic weapon or Chakra is ever ready to destroy those that hopelessly go against the law.
Now a word about Sutala. The arrangement of Pâtâlas as given in the text is the reverse of what they should be in point of spirituality, for Atala is the most and Pâtâla the least removed from spirituality.
The influence of Vishnu does not extend beyond Sutala, and nothing can save those that transgress the limits of this nether plane. For in Vitala the destructive Purusha reigns and a passage to that plane is only a door to utter extinction. And in Atala there is not a trace of spirituality, the work of destruction is already done, and mother Nature dissolves the material elements for some better use in future.
The special provision for Sutala is therefore a cyclic necessity. For Jivas have to be preserved from an undesirable end. Therefore Bali was given a post, the proud privilege of seeing that Jivas do not undergo utter extinction. Sutala was also fortified with an accession of spirituality.
The example of self-abnegation, the ideal of self-sacrifice, Bali is to become the king of Devas in the succeeding Manvantara.