Part 39 (1/2)

(Besides this general administration, there are other ways also of managing the affairs of the universe and these are mentioned incidentally in the following slokas. _Sridhara_.)

Hari appears as the Siddhas (Sanaka and others) and expounds divine wisdom (Jnana) in every Yuga. He appears as Ris.h.i.+s (Yajnavalkya and others) and expounds Karma. As Lords of Yoga (Dattatreya and others), He expounds Yoga.

THE STORY OF BALI.

*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 Praj.a.pati 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 a.s.sured 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 wors.h.i.+pped 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 s.p.a.ce 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 pa.s.sed 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.”