Part 9: Bali’s birth as the Prativiṣṇu Meraka

In course of time, Bali adopted a yati’s costume, died, and became a powerful god in heaven. He fell and became the son of King Samarakesarin by Queen Sundarī in Nandanapura in Bharatakṣetra. His body had the luster of glossy antimony, his figure was sixty bows tall, with a life-duration of sixty lacs of years, possessing wonderful strength, he presented a fine appearance. Rich in splendor, he conquered half of Bharata up to Vaitāḍhya and became an ardhacakrabhṛt, the Prativiṣṇu named Meraka. Like a strong man compared with the wind, like a brilliant person compared with the sun, no king whatever was a rival of his in power. No one trespassed his command, as if he were fate, but all took it on their heads like a tuft of hair tied up for protection.^[1]