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----- bhagap180.html
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 suc-
ceed 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 Prajapati
advised her to observe PaySvrata in honor of Vishnu (for details, see
the original). She observed the Vrata for 12 days when Vishnu
appeared before her and assured 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 cf Sravana, in the Abhijit.
(Vamana = Dwarf). Vamana heard that Bali was performing
Asvamedha on the banks of the Narmada. He went there and Bali re-
ceived him duly and enquired what he wanted, expressing his willing-
ness 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 waterpot 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 Brah-
mana 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
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v?