Today, people in Kerala celebrate the annual visit of their king, Maha Bali or Maveli from Sutala to earth, to oversee the prosperity of his people.
Many Left Liberals cavil at the story of Vamana/Trivikrama "unfairly" taking away Bali's kingdom and stamping him to hell. This is sheer nonsense for anyone who has studied the Srimad Bhagavatam, the original source of the story. No wonder we consider that Vamana indeed graced Bali. Remember the famous line ಬಲಿಯಮನೆಗೆ ವಾಮನ ಬಂದಂತೆ Baliyamanege Vamana bandante in the famous devotional Sri Krishna song, Baro Krishnayya!
So, today I want to revisit the blogposts that covered the story of Bali, in brief.
राजोवाच
बलेः पदत्रयं भूमेः कस्माद्धरिरयाचत ।
भूत्वेश्वरः कृपणवल्लब्धार्थोऽपि बबन्ध तम् ॥
T: King Parikshit was quite perplexed to hear that Bhagavan had dethroned a valiant and good devotee, Bali. He inquired from Sage Shuka: “Bhagavan is the proprietor of everything. Why did he beg three paces of land from King Bali like a poor man, and when he got the gift for which he had begged, why did he nonetheless arrest and dethrone King Bali who had just completed a great Yajna, whose overlord is Bhagavan himself!?” A question that is fair enough, you would say, right!?
Sage Shuka began to narrate the sequence of events, without directly answering Parikshit.
The churning of the ocean resulted in Amrita being partaken of by the Devas and hence they became invincible. After Bali and his Asura warriors were comprehensively defeated, as narrated before, the descendant of the great Sage Bhrigu, Sage Shukracharya, brought Bali back to life using his special Yogic and Mantra powers and restored his full glory. He and other Bhargavas blessed Bali to become super-powerful.
Shukra now supervised a tremendous Yajna called Vishwajit (World Conquest). From the sacred fire arose a fantastic golden chariot with the flag sporting a lion, equipped as well with great weapons. King Prahlada gave his grandson an eternally fresh garland of lotuses.
अथारुह्य रथं दिव्यं भृगुदत्तं महारथः । सुस्रग्धरोऽथ सन्नह्य धन्वी खड्गी धृतेषुधिः ॥
हेमाङ्गदलसद्बाहुः स्फुरन्मकरकुण्डलः । रराज रथमारूढो धिष्ण्यस्थ इव हव्यवाट् ॥
The glorious-looking Bali wore that splendid garland, put on his impenetrable armour, picked up his magnificent bow and inexhaustible quiver, and ascended that chariot. With his gold bracelets and sapphire earrings, Bali looked like the Yajna fire!
When King Bali performed these sacrifices, he gained a great reputation in all directions, throughout the three worlds. Thus he shone in his position, like the brilliant moon in the sky. His mood was one of great felicity, power, and enjoyment.
Soon, Bali and the Asuras had conquered the Devas, banished Indra from Amaravati, and the Devas were consigned to exile in misery.
***
Aditi complains to Sage Kashyapa that one line of his children have usurped the glory of her sons headed by Indra: "But you know how we Devas have now been deprived of our status and home by our rivals, Asuras. We need your protection! Look at how the formidable Asuras have taken away our opulence, our beauty, our fame and even our residence. Indeed, we have now been exiled, and we are drowning in an ocean of trouble. Oh best of sages, best of all those who grant auspicious benedictions, please consider our situation and bestow upon my sons the benedictions by which they can regain what they have lost.”
Sage Kashyapa teaches her a great Vrata called Payovrata to propitiate Maha Vishnu who shall address her problems and solve them. Aditi does so with great faith.
***
त्वयार्चितश्चाहमपत्यगुप्तये पयोव्रतेनानुगुणं समीडित: ।
स्वांशेन पुत्रत्वमुपेत्य ते सुतान्गो प्तास्मि मारीचतपस्यधिष्ठित: ॥
Bhagavan came and blessed Aditi:"You have prayed to me and properly worshipped me by performing the great Payovrata ceremony for the sake of protecting your sons. Because of Sage Kashyapa's austerities, I shall agree to become your son and thus protect your other sons.”
***
इत्थं विरिञ्चस्तुतकर्मवीर्य: प्रादुर्बभूवामृतभूरदित्याम् ।
Bhagavan, who is never subject to death like an ordinary living being, appeared from the womb of Aditi. The Lord appeared in his original form, with ornaments and weapons in his hands. Although this ever-existing form is not visible in the material world, he nonetheless appeared in this form. Then, in the presence of his father and mother, he assumed the form of Vamana, a midget Brahmin, a Brahmachari, just like a theatrical actor, all set to play his Leela!
***
When the Lord heard that King Bali was performing Ashwamedha Yajna under the guidance of exalted descendants of Sage Bhrigu, the self-complete Supreme Lord proceeded there to show his grace to Bali. The earth shook under his weight at every step although he was but a diminutive Brahmin on foot!
While the priests of the Bhrigu dynasty and their disciples debated who it could be, the Bhagavan Vamana, holding in his hands the staff, the umbrella and a waterpot full of water as suited a Brahmin, entered the arena of the Ashwamedha Yajna.
Bali, jubilant at seeing Lord Vamana, whose beautiful limbs contributed equally to the beauty of his entire body, offered him a seat with great delight. Thus offering a proper reception to Bhagavan, perceived in his divine beauty by the liberated souls, Bali worshipped Him by washing His lotus feet.
Bali wanted to offer the best of gifts to this Brahmin. This is in the fitness of things, since Bali had ascended the pinnacle of lordship over the worlds, and had a reputation for his generosity. He was also conducting a Yajna where giving away gifts is de rigueur.
"Oh, son of a Brahmin, today the fire of Yajna is ablaze according to the injunction of the Shastra, and I have been freed from all the sinful reactions of my life by the water that has washed your lotus feet. Oh, my Lord, by the touch of your small lotus feet, the entire surface of the world has been sanctified."
"Oh, son of a Sage, it appears that you have come here to ask me for something. Therefore, whatever you want you may take from me. Oh, best of those who are worshippable! You may take from me a cow, gold, a furnished house, palatable food and drink, the daughter of a Brahmin for your wife, prosperous villages, horses, elephants, chariots or whatever you desire.”
***
A wonderful dialogue precedes Bali’s final act of committing 3 paces of land to Lord Vamana.
श्रीबलिरुवाच
मां वचोभि: समाराध्य लोकानामेकमीश्वरम् । पदत्रयं वृणीते योऽबुद्धिमान् द्वीपदाशुषम् ॥
न पुमान् मामुपव्रज्य भूयो याचितुमर्हति । तस्माद् वृत्तिकरीं भूमिं वटो कामं प्रतीच्छ मे ॥
"I am able to give you an entire island because I am the proprietor of the three divisions of the universe. You have come to take something from me and have pleased me with your sweet words, but you are asking only three paces of land. Therefore You are not very intelligent. Oh, small boy, one who approaches me to beg something should not have to ask anything more, anywhere (i.e. have any wish remaining unfulfilled). Therefore, if you wish, You may ask from me as much land as will suffice to maintain you according to your needs."
श्रीभगवानुवाच
यावन्तो विषया: प्रेष्ठास्त्रिलोक्यामजितेन्द्रियम् । न शक्नुवन्ति ते सर्वे प्रतिपूरयितुं नृप ॥
त्रिभि: क्रमैरसन्तुष्टो द्वीपेनापि न पूर्यते । नववर्षसमेतेन सप्तद्वीपवरेच्छया ॥
Bhagavan said: "Oh, my dear King, even the entirety of whatever there may be within the three worlds to satisfy one’s senses cannot satisfy a person whose senses are uncontrolled. So it is not the magnitude of gifts but the dispassion within one's heart that leads to contentment."
"A Brahmin who is satisfied with whatever is providentially obtained is increasingly enlightened with spiritual power, but the spiritual potency of a dissatisfied Brahmin decreases, as fire diminishes in potency when water is sprinkled upon it. Therefore, Oh King, from you, the best of those who give charity, I ask only three paces of land. By such a gift I shall be very pleased, for the way of happiness is to be fully satisfied to receive that which is absolutely needed."
Sage Shukracharya, a great Bhargava, the Guru of Asuras, was no ordinary Brahmin. He was enlightened but also very serious about protecting the Asuras' interest. He could see Vamana was none other than Maha Vishnu, come to ruin Bali! So he spoke peremptorily:
"Oh Bali, son of Virocana, this Brahmachari in the form of a dwarf is directly the imperishable Bhagavan Vishnu! Accepting Kashyapa Muni as his father and Aditi as his mother, he has now appeared in order to fulfil the interests of the Devas, your enemies. You do not know what a dangerous position you have accepted by promising to give him land. I do not think that this promise is good for you. It will bring great harm to Asuras! Vamana will first occupy the three worlds with one step, then he will take his second step and occupy everything in outer space, and then he will expand his universal body to occupy everything. Where will you offer him the third step?!?"
"You will certainly be unable to fulfil your promise, and I think that because of this inability your eternal residence will be in hell." Shukracharya is like a lawyer advising a client who is shortly going to get an adverse verdict unless he retracts his statements. The course of life is such that a hero like Bali will never retract what he has said, even if he knows it was foolhardy to give such a promise. he had momentarily allowed his ego and sense of lordship overcome his good sense, unable to see that God visits us in the most unpredictable ways to test us.
***
After hearing the cautionary advice of Shukracharya, Bali became contemplative. Because it is the duty of a householder to maintain Dharma, Artha and Kama, without compromising one for the other, Bali thought it improper to withdraw his promise to the Brahmachari.
Bali said:
स चाहं वित्तलोभेन प्रत्याचक्षे कथं द्विजम् । प्रतिश्रुत्य ददामीति प्राह्रादि: कितवो यथा ॥
न ह्यसत्यात् परोऽधर्म इति होवाच भूरियम् । सर्वं सोढुमलं मन्ये ऋतेऽलीकपरं नरम् ॥
एष वा उत्तमश्लोको न जिहासति यद् यश: । हत्वा मैनां हरेद् युद्धे शयीत निहतो मया ॥
“Sir, I am the grandson of King Prahlada, an exemplar of Dharma. How can I withdraw my promise because of greed for money when I have already said that I shall give this land? How can I behave like an ordinary cheater, especially toward a Brahmin? There is nothing more sinful than untruthfulness. Because of this, mother earth once said, “I can bear any heavy thing except a person who is a liar.”
If this Brahmin really is Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped by the Vedas, he would never risk his widespread reputation; either he would lie down having been killed by me, or he would kill me in a fight.” (Can you see ego at work again?)
This disobedience of King Bali towards Sage Shukracharya incurred his great anger. He cursed Bali,
मच्छासनातिगो यस्त्वमचिराद्भ्रश्यसे श्रिय: “You stubborn fool, for disobeying me, you shall soon lose all your kingdom and all your wealth.”
Unmoved, Bali went ahead, and his queen Vindyavali brought the sacred pot of water. By worshipping Vamana’s feet, Bali fulfilled his promise and requested Vamana to take his gift of three measures of his footprint.
Bhagavan Vamana then immediately extended himself into a universal body. By the mercy of Bhagavan Vamana, Bali could see that the Lord is all-pervading and that everything rests in his body. Bali could see Bhagavan Vamana as the Virat Purusha who was Supreme Maha Vishnu, wearing his crown, His yellow garment, the mark of Srivatsa where Sri Lakshmi rests on his chest, the Kaustubha jewel, a flower garland, and ornaments decorating his entire body. The Lord gradually covered the entire surface of the world, and by extending his body he covered the entire sky. Therefore, there was no vacant place where he could take his third footstep.
***
https://rsachi.blogspot.com/2023/02/srimad-bhagavatam-viii21-22-september.html
Seeing how Bali had lost his all to Bhagavan's Vamana avatara, the Asuras around Bali became very angry. They said they will fight and destroy Vamana for this trick, on behalf of Bali who had avowed peace during the Yajna. But Vishnu's attendants countered them decisively. Seeing his Asuras losing their lives, Bali stopped the fight. He pleaded,
हन्यमानान् स्वकान् दृष्ट्वा पुरुषानुचरैर्बलिः । वारयामास संरब्धान् काव्यशापमनुस्मरन् ॥
यो नो भवाय प्रागासीदभवाय दिवौकसाम् । स एव भगवानद्य वर्तते तद्विपर्ययम् ॥
बलेन सचिवैर्बुद्ध्या दुर्गैर्मन्त्रौषधादिभिः । सामादिभिरुपायैश्च कालं नात्येति वै जनः ॥
Bali said, " Oh Viprachitti, Rahu, Nemi, please hear my words! Don’t fight. Stop immediately, for the present time is not in our favour. The supreme factor Time, which represents Bhagavan, was previously in our favour and not in favour of the Devas, but now the tables are turned. No one can surpass Bhagavan as Time or Kaala by material power, strategem, intelligence, diplomacy, fortresses, mystic mantras, medicinal herbs, or any other means. (Note the idea of bio-warfare here!)"
As directed by Bhagavan, Garuda came and bound King Bali hand and foot with Varuna-pasha (the bindings of the netherworld). All the Asuras fled to the netherworld as their cause was lost.
***
Bhagavan addressed Bali.
पदैकेन मयाक्रान्तो भूर्लोकः खं दिशस्तनोः । स्वर्लोकस्तु द्वितीयेन पश्यतस्ते स्वमात्मना ॥
प्रतिश्रुतमदातुस्ते निरये वास इष्यते । विश त्वं निरयं तस्माद्गुरुणा चानुमोदितः ॥
"Oh, King Bali, remember your gift of the three paces of land. Of your possessions, with one step I have occupied Bhuloka, and with my body, I have occupied the entire sky and all directions. And in your presence, with my second step, I have occupied the heavens. Because you have been unable to give the gift according to your promise, the rule is that you should go down to live in the hellish netherworld. Therefore, in accordance with the order of your Guru, Sage Shukracharya, your spiritual master, now go down and live there."
Bali presented the sight of a king who had lost his all, but not his spirit and composure in this adversity.
***
Bhagavan said: “My dear Lord Brahma, because of material opulence a foolish person becomes dull-witted and mad. Thus, he has no respect for anyone within the three worlds and defies even my authority. To such a person I show special favour by first taking away all his possessions (Since adversity teaches the greatest lessons).”
“In the cycle of birth and death again and again in different species, by one’s good Karma, one may happen to become a human being. This human birth is very rarely obtained. If a human being is born in an aristocratic family or a higher status of life, if he performs wonderful activities, if he is youthful, if he has personal beauty, good education and good wealth, and if he is nonetheless not proud of his opulence, it is to be understood that he is especially favoured by Bhagavan.”
“Although aristocratic birth and other such opulence are impediments to advancement in the path of Bhakti because they are causes of false prestige and pride, this opulence never disturbs a pure devotee of Bhagavan. King Bali has become the most famous among the Asuras and contrarians, for in spite of being bereft of all material opulence, he is fixed in his Bhakti and Dharma.”
“Although bereft of his riches, fallen from his original position, defeated and arrested by his enemies, rebuked and deserted by his relatives and friends, although suffering the pain of being bound and although rebuked and cursed by his spiritual master, King Bali, being fixed in his vow, did not give up his truthfulness. It was certainly with the pretension that I spoke about Dharma, but he did not give up Dharma, for he is true to his word. Because of his great tolerance, I have given him a place not obtainable even by the gods. He will become King of heaven during the period of the Manu known as Savarni."
"Until King Bali achieves the position of King of heaven, he shall live on the planet Sutala, which was made by Vishwakarma according to my order. Because it is specially protected by me, it is free from mental and bodily miseries, fatigue, dizziness, defeat and all other disturbances. Dear King Bali, the future Indra! You may now live there peacefully, surrounded by your friends and relatives. All good fortune unto you. No one will be able to conquer you, as you shall be protected by my Sudarshana Chakra!"
"Oh great hero, I shall always be with you and give you protection in all respects along with your associates and paraphernalia. Moreover, you will always be able to see me there. You will also be purified of all false tendencies you may have acquired by association with Asuras and Danavas.”
***
The great soul King Bali experienced that the highest gain in life is to attain devotional service under the shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet in full surrender. Being firmly rooted in this thought, his heart full of ecstatic devotion and his eyes full of tears, he offered obeisances to Bhagavan Vamana. Then, with his associates, he entered the planet known as Sutala.
बलिरुवाच
अहो प्रणामाय कृतः समुद्यमः प्रपन्नभक्तार्थविधौ समाहितः ।
यल्लोकपालैस्त्वदनुग्रहोऽमरैरलब्धपूर्वोऽपसदेऽसुरेऽर्पितः ॥
Bali said: "What an incredible effect there is of even attempting to offer respectful obeisances to you! I was bound up and unable to properly prostrate even. But my desire itself pleased you, Oh Lord! The causeless mercy you have shown to me, a fallen Asura, was never achieved even by the gods or other celestials."
Takeway: In Bhagavan's Leela, everyone, yes, everyone, experiences Maya, suffering and joy, and the results of his or her Karma driven by ego. This is inescapable. But equally, those who establish themselves in Bhakti become mere actors, enjoying Bhagavan's Leela! Bali is a great example.
॥ ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय ॥
