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| BALI - THE ASURA KING |
Bali traveled to the nooks and corners of his empire and
saw for himself the happiness of his subjects. He was delighted to see green crops everywhere. Every
one was heard saying, "Bali is righteous, truth loving, charitable. He is
born on earth to make it a heaven." There was no one who prayed to Devas
(gods) for the grant of wealth and happiness. Happiness and peace were firmly
established on the earth now. Having got rid of poverty, the subjects enjoyed
life with happiness.
Meanwhile there was discussion in the court of Bali on earth. His ministers and
generals as well as Danavas urged, "O king, all the earthly kingdoms are
now ours. Indra cannot hope to match your valor and strength. We must defeat
the Devas and annex their kingdom of heaven to our empire. Brahma has granted
you immortality and lordship. This is the time to get the full benefit of the
boons you have secured from Brahma."
At an auspicious moment decided by Shukracharya, the Danava army got ready to
invade heaven. The war trumpets and drums frightened Amaravati, Capital of Heaven.
Indra met his foes boldly riding his white elephant Airavat, marching at the
head of the united Devas army. Aditya, Varuna, Kubera, Yama and other Devas fought
for many days against Bali and his army. But they began to flee from the battlefield
one by one unable to face Bali. Having been wounded by Bali's arms, Indra ran
for his life and sought the advice of Brihaspati, his preceptor.
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| BALI ATTACKING AMARAVATI, THE CAPITAL OF HEAVEN |
Brihaspati told Indra, "Devendra, it is futile to fight Bali. You cannot
defeat him. Justice righteousness and truthfulness have made him resplendent
and invincible. Therefore it is better that you go underground for some time." Accordingly
Indra and the other Devas left Heaven. After establishing victory over Heaven,
the Danavas installed Bali on the heavenly throne as Daityendra and celebrated
the occasion as a coronation. Bali appointed his own men in place of the guardian
angels of the eight directions, the Sun, the Moon and other positions to represent
him in heaven, and returned to his capital on the earth.
The next day Shukracharya said to Bali, "O king of the Danavas, the Heaven
also is yours now because of your twin virtues of charity and valor. Since the
Under-world is also under your sway, the three worlds, the Earth, the Under-world
and the Heaven are yours. But you have appointed Danavas in place of Devas. You
have taken away their powers who enjoyed the power to rule over all these worlds
which the Creator Brahma and Vishnu the Protector had given them. They may not
take it lying low. They are sure to take revenge. If you
desire to retain this over-lordship of the three worlds permanently you should
perform one hundred 'Ashwamedhas' (horse sacrifices). Get ready to perform them
from today."
Bhrugukachha situated to the north of Narmada was selected as the site for the
performance of the sacrifices. A large open area in the grounds of the hermitage
was chosen as the place to keep the sacred fire burning. Bali took the vow of
sacrifice along with his queen Vindhyavali.
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