Chapter 23 - Bali, free from bonds, enters Sutala

[Sanskrit text for this chapter is available]

Śrī Śuka said:

1. The magnanimous Bali who was highly respected by all righteous persons, joined his palms, and with his eyes flowing with tears and throat choked with emotion, submitted in faltering accents to Lord Viṣṇu, the ancient-most person who addressed him (as reported in the previous chapter).

Bali said:

2.^[1] How wonderful! Even an attempt made to offer you obeisance was efficacious enough to accomplish the blessings coveted by your devotees who resorted to you for protection. This unique Grace has never been obtained by the protectors of the world as well as by gods (who are of Sāttvic disposition) before. It has been conferred upon a wretched Asura (of a rājasic nature).

Śrī Śuka said:

3. Having addressed thus, Bali, bowed down to Lord Hari, god Brahmā along with Śiva. Being free from bondage, Bali was highly pleased and he entered the Sutala region along with his Asuras.

4. Restoring (the kingdom of) the celestial region to Indra in this way, and having thus fulfilled the desire of Aditi, the Lord ruled over the whole of the world;

5. Seeing that his grandson Bali, the scion of his family, freed from bondage and the recipient of the Grace of the Lord, Prahlāda, full of devotion spoke as follows:

Prahlāda said:

6. Neither god Brahmā, nor goddess Śrī or god Śiva ever received such a Grace. How can others (Indra etc.) obtain it? You whose feet are worshipped by persons adored by the world have become the protector of the fortress of us, the Asuras.

7. Oh Lord that affords shelter! Brahmā and other celestials have attained greatness (prosperity and power) by virtue of their enjoyment of the honey in the lotuslike feet of yours. (I, however, wonder) why we, of crooked behaviour and belonging to ferocious races, are made the recipients of your gracious look.

8. Oh how miraculous are your acts and behaviour! You have created the worlds as the sportive activity of your inconceivable yoga-māyā; you are omniscient, nay the veritable in-dwelling soul of all, and hence, view all equally. Even though you are fond of your devotees, there is no partiality in your nature, you are just like the wish-yielding tree, by nature.

The Lord replied:

9. Child Prahlāda! May you be blessed! Go happily to your residence in Sutala along with your grandson, and enhance the happiness of your kith and kin.

10. You will always see me there standing with a mace in hand, and the bonds of your karmas will be snapped by the highest bliss of seeing me.

Śrī Śuka said:

11. 12. With their palms folded and head bowed down, pure-minded Prahlāda, the Supreme Commander of all the Asura forces, along with Bali, respectfully accepted the command of the glorious Lord. Circumambulating the Eternal Person, they bowed again, and with his permission entered the ‘Great cavity’ (of Sutala), Oh King.

13. Thereafter, Oh King! Lord Viṣṇu whose abode is cosmic waters, and who removes the sins of his votaries, spoke to Śukra who was sitting near, among the sacrificial priests, in that assembly of experts in Vedas.

14. “Oh Brahman! Do you now make up for the interruption and deficiency in the sacrificial act that was being performed by your disciple. Whatever defects remain in religious performances are rectified even by the look of Brāh- maṇas (much more so if actually performed by them).”

Śukra replied:

15. How can there be any deficiency in ritualistic performance, where you, the presiding Lord of all religious acts, the master of sacrifice who confer their fruit on performers, the sacrifice itself incarnate, are worshipped with complete devotion?

16. The recital of Your Name rectified all the defects arising out of (wrong pronunciation and intonation of) mantras (Vedic verses to be chanted at the time of sacrifices), wrong ritualistic procedure, in-opportuneness of time and unsuitability of place or in the provision of materials for sacrifices.^[2]

17. Still, however, as, Oh Mighty Lord, You insist on it, I shall carry out your behest. For what constitutes obedience to your commands, is (in itself) the highest beatitude of human beings.

Śrī Śuka said:

18. Gladly accepting Hari’s mandate, the worshipful sage Śukra, with the assistance of other Brāhmaṇa sages, rectified the deficiencies in Bali’s sacrifice.

19. In this way, having begged the earth (as well as celestial regions) from Bali, Lord Hari disguised as a dwarf, gave back to his brother, the great Indra, the celestial region (as well as the earth) which was usurped from him by his enemies.

20-21. Then for accomplishing the pleasure of Kaśyapa and Aditi, and for the well-being of all creatures, god Brahmā, the head of all the Protectors of the world (Prajāpatis) together with gods, sages, manes and Manu and his sons with Dakṣa, Bhṛgu, Aṅgiras, as well as with Kumāra and god Śiva, crowned Vāmana as the King (and protector) of all the worlds, and the guardians of the worlds.

22-23. For the sake of the prosperity of all, god Brahmā installed Vāmana, the younger brother of Indra as the protector of all Vedas, gods, dharma (righteousness), glory, affluence, auspicious vows and of the celestial regions as well as of Mokṣa (Liberation of Saṃsāra). Oh King, all created beings thereby felt extremely delighted.

24. Then with the approval of god Brahmā, Indra accompanied by the Protectors of the world, placed Vāmana at their head, carried him to heaven, in a suitable celestial car.

25. With the sovereignty of the three worlds restored to him, and being free from fear due to his being protected by the arms of Vāmana, Indra who was endowed with supreme glory, felt highly delighted.

26-27. Eulogising that extremely miraculous great deed of Viṣṇu and praising Aditi, god Brahmā, Śiva, Kumāra, sages headed by Bhṛgu and others, and masses, all beings, Siddhas, all beings moving in aerial cars, repaired to their respective abodes, Oh King.

28. I have recounted to you everything pertaining to the episode of the Lord of Mighty wide Strides which destroys all the sins of the listener to this story, Oh delight of the Kuru family!

29.^[3] A mortal being who presumes to recount completely and exhaustively the glories of Lord Viṣṇu with mighty wide strides, is like unto a person who would count all the particles of dust on the earth. About such a person the seer of the mantra (Ṛg Veda Saṃhitā. 1.1.54.1 etc.) asks, ‘Is there born now or likely to be born (in future) such a person (who can do so)? (The answer is ‘No’).

30. A person who listens to the account of this incarnation of Lord Hari, the god of gods of miraculous deeds, attains to the highest stage (of Liberation from Saṃsāra).

31. If this story is recited repeatedly during the performance of religious observance to propitiate gods, masses and men, the learned declare that that observance is auspiciously well-done.

Footnotes and references:

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[1]:

Siddhāntapradīpa: If mere attempt to bow down is so efficacious, how much more fruitful must be the worship etc. of Lord Hari.

[2]:

Cf. the famous verses quoted by Bhāvārtha-dīpikā-prakāśa

yosya smṛtyā ca nāmoktyā tapo-yajña-kriyādiṣu /
nyūnaṃ sampūrṇatāṃ yāt; taṃ vande harim acyutam //

[3]:

Viṣṇor nu kaṃ vīryāṇi pra vocam—Ṛg Veda Saṃhitā. 1.154-1a; AV. 7. 26-1a; VS. 5.18a; TS. 1.2.13.9a etc.