(Mahabali)

Emperor of demons; grandson of Prahlada and son of the demon Virochana. Humiliated by dwarf Vamana, who was an incarnation of Vishnu. (Glossary for the Vahinis)

Excerpts taken from (Avatars: Their myriad Forms, Purpose, role and relevance, p. 93)

Bali was the grandson of Prahlada, who was the son of Hiranyakashipu. While Prahlada’s father, Hiranyakashipu was a hater of Hari, Bali worshipped Hari. Bali was ruling over his realm righteously. He loved his subjects as his own children. The land enjoyed plenty and peace. ‘As is the king so are the subjects’ is an old saying. The ancients always prayed for righteous rulers. Emperor Manu laid down three prescriptions. They are ‘Bhadram Pashyantu’ (See what is good), ‘Bhadram Shrunvantu’ (Listen to what is good), ‘Bhadram Kurvantu’ (Do what is good). These are the life-breath of Dharma (righteous conduct). It is not enough for us merely to say ‘See good.’ These injunctions have to be observed. If these are not observed, righteousness will cease to exist. Emperor Bali practised these three precepts and inspired his people to observe them. (SSS Vol.25). He used to treat his subjects as his own family members and provide several conveniences for their happy and comfortable living. He used to develop sacred feelings among the people and create a proper environment to foster them. (SSS Vol.42)

Bali was engaged in the glorification of God and in the material and spiritual uplift of his subjects. There was no trace of poverty or iii health in his empire. Every home was lit with joy; every day was festive occasion. (SSS Vol.18)

Emperor Bali was a great renunciant. He earned great name and fame for his noble quality of charity. He used to readily give away whatever was asked by others. (SSS Vol.41)

Kashyapa, a great devotee of the Lord had completely surrendered himself at the Lotus Feet and was totally lost in divine bliss. One day, his wife, Aditi, approached him and advised him, ‘My dear! We do not have children. You have surrendered everything of yours to the Lord. Why don’t you pray to Him to bless us with a child?’ Vamana was born to Sage Kashyapa, in fulfilment of the boon granted by Lord Vishnu to him.

Emperor Bali, in Krita Yuga, performed many Yajnas. After completion of one hundred and seven Yajnas, he made arrangements for performing the one hundred and eighth yajna known as Vishvajit (conquest of the Universe) which would propitiate the Gods so much that, with their blessings, he could extend his beneficent rule over the entire world. (SSS Vol.18)

The Devas propose: The Lord disposes

This provoked the apprehension of Indra and the Devas. (SSS Vol.19), 15-9-1986 Bali wanted to ensure peace and prosperity for the entire world under his beneficent reign and commenced the Viswajit Yaga for this purpose. The Devas became apprehensive and jealous when Bali was performing this yaga. They approached Lord Narayana and prayed to Him: ‘Bali, who is Rakshasa by birth, is attempting to bring the whole Universe under his sway by performing the Viswajit Yaga. You must save the world from this danger (of the whole world coming under the rule of Rakshasas), by diverting his mind from this course.

Man proposes, but God disposes. The Lord, who knew the greatness of Bali, his noble qualities and his devotion to God, formally acceded to the Devas’ prayers but decided to confer the highest blessings on Bali. (SSS Vol.19)

Several people gathered to witness that event. Emperor Bali performed the Yajna on a grand scale by donating land and money to several people and gave away gifts to a number of people on the occasion. During the Yajna, his family members were also seated on the Yajna Vedika along with him. (SSS Vol.42, p. 169)

While everyone was watching the grand spectacle, a handsome boy entered the Yajnasala holding a small umbrella made of Palmira leaves. As He was approaching the altar, Emperor Bali‘s daughter Ratnamala saw Him. She was captivated by the beauty and effulgence of that charming young boy. Immediately, she was lost in deep contemplation, thinking, ‘How fortunate it would be if I had a child like Him!’ The boy went straight to the altar. While everyone present in the Yajnasala was watching Him happily, Emperor Bali welcomed Him, washed His feet reverentially, offered a garland and made Him seated on an ornate chair. (SSS Vol.42, p. 170)

(Lord Vishnu as Dwarf before Bali)

Emperor Bali then enquired, ‘Swami, what brought you here? What can I do for you?’ (SSS Vol. 41, p. 190) The young boy replied, “I have heard that Emperor Bali is doing several acts of charity. I too have a desire to be fulfilled.” (SSS Vol.42, p. 170)

Vamana replied that he did not need anything like money or grains and that he would be content to have just three footstep length of land. Bali was surprised at Vamana’s request, since even to bury a dead body six feet length of land was required. He therefore requested Vamana to ask for something more. But Vamana replied, ‘If you give Me three steps length of land, that would be enough.’ Emperor Bali immediately promised to give Him three steps of land as requested. (SSS Vol.41, pp. 190-191)

In the meanwhile, Emperor Bali‘s preceptor Sukracharya came there and tried to dissuade Bali from giving this gift of charity. He advised Bali, ‘Please do not give anything in charity to this short Brahmin, much less the three paces of land. Do not underestimate him. He is not an ordinary Brahmin. He is an avatar of Vishnu. He is born to Sage Kashyapa, in fulfilment of the boon granted by Lord Vishnu to him.’

But Emperor Bali did not pay heed to the advice of his preceptor. He asked Lord Vamana, ‘Sir, What can I do for you?’ Vamana replied, ‘Oh King! I do not need anything. Just give me three paces of land.’ Sukracharya again pleaded with Bali, ‘Oh King! You consider this person as an ordinary Brahmin. No. No. He is capable of filling the entire universe. It is not wise on your part to grant his request.’ (SSS Vol.37, pp. 200-202)

Bali rejected the advice of his preceptor, Sukracharya, when the latter opposed the grant of three feet of land to Vamana on the ground that Vamana was Lord Vishnu Himself and that offering the gift that He sought would result in the ruin of Bali. Bali declared: ‘When the Lord Himself has come seeking a gift from me, what greater good can happen to me than that of being the donor, with the Lord as the recipient?’ (SSS Vol.20)

Emperor Bali turned down his advice saying that he could not go back on his promise, as it was a great sin not to stand by one’s word (In those days, people considered death preferable to going back on one’s word. But today in Kali Yuga, people make promises and break them at will. Emperor Bali was of pure heart. Once a promise was made, he fulfilled it, come what may!). He said, ‘I gave a word to this Brahmin boy. I am prepared to face any eventuality in fulfilling my promise. I will offer the fruits of all the Yajnas I have performed, including the one I am now performing to this Brahmin boy. So saying, he put the garland of the fruits of 108 Yajnas performed by him round the neck of Vamana and prostrated before him. (SSS Vol.37, pp. 200-202)

Realising that Bali would not heed his advice, Sukracharya resorted to a device to block the gift Bali was about to make, by turning into an insect and filling the mouth of the vessel through which water was to be poured by Bali while making the gift. Vamana, who was aware of this stratagem, cleared the block by pricking the mouth of the vessel with a poker. As a result Sukracharya lost one of his eyes. (SSS Vol.20), 5-9-1987

Vamana covered the entire land (earth) given in charity by Bali under one foot. He grew in size and filled the entire universe (sky) with his second foot. There was no further space to put his third foot. Then Sukracharya said, ‘Oh emperor! You did not pay heed to my advice. You underestimated this Brahmin boy and got yourself tricked by his innocent looks.’ (SSS Vol.37, pp. 200-202)

He enquired from Emperor Bali as to where He could set His third step, so that He might leave the place immediately. Emperor Bali was nonplussed at the developments. (SSS Vol.41, p. 191)

(Vaman holding leg on Bali)

Bali knelt before the Lord and said: ‘Oh Lord! What can I offer you except the body and heart which you have given to me? (SSS Vol.19)

‘Swami, I have now only my head. Kindly keep your foot on my head.’ So saying, he removed the crown and offered his head. Lord Vamana then kept His foot on Emperor Bali‘s head and pushed him down to the nether world. (SSS Vol.41, p. 191)

Vamana received the offering of Emperor Bali and praised his large-heartedness and blessed him. (SSS Vol.37, pp. 200-202) Bali was thus the supreme embodiment of self-sacrifice, who did not hesitate to offer everything he had to the Lord. (SSS Vol.19)

Bali‘s example of the spirit of sacrifice

Whatever you enjoy through renunciation will become a kind of yoga. Self-conceit in the performance of actions and attachment to the fruits of one’s actions have both to be given up. There should be no sense of egoism in doing one’s work. ‘This is my work. I alone am entitled to its fruits’ this attitude should be given up. If you plant a tree, what guarantee do you have that you will live to enjoy its fruits? Your progeny may enjoy the fruits. Your duty is to do your allotted work. Kartavyam yogam Uchyathe (Doing one’s duty is yoga). Emperor Bali stands out as an example of purity and sacrifice.

One must be prepared to make any offering to God, including one’s life itself. Such was the greatness of Emperor Bali. He was prepared to make any kind of sacrifice for God. He lacked nothing in the world--wealth, power, position. But all these he was ready to give up to honour his word. It is rare to find persons who have everything and still have the spirit of sacrifice. The affluent are seldom generous. Often they are mean and greedy. (SSS Vol.20)

Atma nivedanam (Or Atmarpanam) (Surrender of the self): Emperor Bali, the grandson of Prahlada, was an example of a devotee who completely surrendered to the Lord, offered everything he possessed to the Lord and thereby sanctified his life. He was totally dedicated in his devotion to the Lord. He was prepared to offer his head to the Lord and go down to the nether-world. No sacrifice was too great for him to win the Lord’s grace. When has Guru,Sukracharya, advised him to go back on the gift he had promised to Vamana, Bali rejected the advice, declaring that his life, his body and all that he had belonged to the Lord. (SSS Vol.19)

Emperor Bali is the example of Atma nivedanam complete self-surrender in the devotion to the Lord. ‘I offer to you, Oh Lord! all my wealth and possessions, as well as my entire self. I take refuge in you, protect me, Oh Lord!’ This was the sense of abnegation with which Bali offered himself to Lord Vamana. Bali welcomed Vamana with open arms and promised to him that he would offer the young Brahmin lad whatever he desired. He offered to wash the feet of Vamana and sanctify himself by sprinkling .that water on his own head. Bali’s preceptor, Sukracharya was an all-knowing counsellor. Aware that Vamana was an incarnation of Vishnu, he advised Bali to go back on his offer to Vamana. But Bali’s magnanimity and greatness may be seen in the fact that he refused to accept his preceptor’s advice. Bali said, ‘When the Lord Himself has come to me with out-stretched hands asking for a gift, what greater good fortune can I have than making the gift from my humble hands? I am prepared to give away everything regardless of what happens to me.’ (SSS Vol 199/200)

Bali wanted to ensure peace and prosperity for the entire world under his beneficent reign and commenced the Vishvajit Yaga for this purpose. The Devas became apprehensive and jealous when Bali was performing this yaga. They approached Lord Narayana and prayed to Him: ‘Bali, who is Rakshasa by birth, is attempting to bring the whole Universe under his sway by performing the Viswajit Yaga. You must save the world from this danger (of the whole world coming under the rule of Rakshasas), by diverting his mind from this course.

Man proposes, but God disposes. The Lord, who knew the greatness of Bali, his noble qualities and his devotion to God, formally acceded to the Devas’ prayers but decided to confer the highest blessings on Bali. For this purpose He incarnated in Siddhashrama as Vamana and went to Bali’s yajnasala to ask for a gift. Pure-hearted as he was, Bali could instantly recognise the radiance on the face of the young Vamana. He asked Vamana: ‘Swami, what is it you seek at this Yajna? I have decided to renounce everything I possess to redeem my life.’ Vamanamurti was short in stature, but the whole universe was imminent in Him. He asked for an apparently small gift from Bali-nothing more than three lengths of ground measured by his feet. Bali felt that for a ruler of the vast earth, this was too small a gift and he agreed. That very moment, Vamana assumed the immeasurable form of Trivikrama, the Supreme Lord of the three worlds. With one step, He covered the entire earth. With the second step, He covered the whole of space and asked Bali where? He should place his foot for the third step. Bali knelt before the Lord and said: ‘Oh Lord! What can I offer you except the body and heart which you have given to me? I pray to you to place your foot on my head.’ Bali was thus the supreme embodiment of self-sacrifice, who did not hesitate to offer everything he had to the Lord. (SSS VolXIX p.153/154)