Chapter 21: Bali Mahârâja Arrested by the Lord

(1) S'rî S'uka said: 'He who appeared on the lotus [Brahmâ] observed from the place of truth [from Satyaloka] how the light of his abode had been covered and had faded because of the effulgence of the Lord's toenails and thus oh god of man, he approached Him together with vowed brahmacârîs like the sages headed by Marîci and with Sanandana and the other Kumâras. (2-3) They fully expert in the Vedas and their supplements, the regulations and the abstinence, being well versed in logic, history, didactics, the classical stories, the Vedic corollaries and such, thereupon offered their obeisances at Lord Vishnu's lotus feet together with the others who ignited by the winds of yoga and the fire of spiritual knowledge, free from fruitive activities by simply meditating on the self-born one had attained his abode. Lord Brahmâ, the most celebrated Vedic authority, he who as a person had appeared on the lotus that had sprouted from His navel, then pleased Him by devoutly paying homage, worshiping Him with oblations of water [see also 3.8]. (4) The water from Lord Brahmâ's kamandalu, purified from washing the feet of Lord Urukrama oh king of the humans, became the [celestial] Svardhunî [the Ganges]. Its water flowing down from outer space purifies the three worlds the same way the fame of the Supreme Lord purifies. (5) Lord Brahmâ and the others, they who were the predominating deities of the different worlds, were of the greatest respect for their master and collected with all their followers the necessities for worshiping the All-powerful Soul who had returned to His original size. (6-7) With water for the feet and for the guests, flower garlands, all sorts of pulp to smear, fragrant incense and lamps, fried rice, whole grains, fruits, roots and sprouts, they offered their respects exclaiming 'Jaya, jaya' to the glory of His actions, thereby dancing, singing and playing instruments as vibrating conch shells and beating kettledrums. (8) Jâmbavân, the king of the bears, blissfully sounded the bugle in every direction and proclaimed a great festival for [celebrating] His victory. (9) The Asuras were very angry when they saw that all the land of their master who had been so determined to be of sacrifice, was lost on the simple plea of three steps of land: (10) 'Is this brahmin friend not actually Vishnu Himself, the greatest of all cheaters. who assuming the form of a brahmin willfully tries to deceive us in the interest of the gods? (11) He, the enemy, in the form of a boy begging for a donation stole everything away from our master who for the sacrifice gave up his exercise of power. (12) Favorable to the brahmins and always sworn to the truth, he personally now being initiated for performing a yajña, cannot speak a lie. (13) In the service of our master it is therefore our duty to kill Him!' Thus the Asura followers of Bali took up their different weapons. (14) Oh King, having taken up their tridents and lances they with their angry minds all together rushed forward against the will of Bali. (15) But the associates of Vishnu who saw the Daitya soldiers coming oh ruler, smiled, took up their weapons and threw them back. (16-17) Nanda and Sunanda came forward as also Jaya, Vijaya, Prabala, Bala, Kumuda, Kumudâksha, Vishvaksena, Patattrirâth [Garuda], Jayanta, S'rutadeva, Pushpadanta and Sâtvata. They all together as strong as a thousand elephants killed the Asura soldiers.

(18) The moment Bali saw that his men were killed by the followers of the Original Personality, he remembered the curse of S'ukrâcârya [8.20: 15] and commanded his angry men to retreat: (19) 'Oh Vipracitti, Râhu and Nemi please listen, do not fight, stop with this. Now is not the time to settle this. (20) The Master of All Living Beings, that Person of Control who decides about happiness and distress, can by human effort not be superseded oh Daityas. (21) Formerly time worked in our favor and brought us the victory over the gods, but today time, which indeed is the Greatest Power [the Supreme Authority] in our existence, works against us. (22) No man is able to surpass the time factor by any power, counsel, cleverness, fortifications, spells, herbs, diplomacy or by whatever other means or likewise schemes. (23) In the past you managed to defeat many followers of Vishnu, but today they who had the luck to increase their wealth are roaring that they defeated us in battle [see B.G. 18: 13-15]. (24) We will defeat them when fate works in our favor and therefore we now must await the time of our luck.'

(25) S'rî S'uka said: 'After the Daitya and Dânava leaders had heard what their master said they left grudgingly for the lower regions oh King, to which they were driven by the associates of Vishnu. (26) Thereafter, on the day when for the sacrifice the soma is extracted [soma-pâna], Bali was arrested by the son of Târkshya [Garuda] to the desire of the Master of the King of the Birds [Lord Vishnu] and bound with the ropes of Varuna. (27) Because of the apprehension of the Asura leader by Vishnu, the mightiest One around, from every direction in the upper and lower worlds a great roar of disappointment rose. (28) Bereft of his luster he, the one so magnanimous and celebrated oh King, remained determined as ever. Unto him thus being bound with Varuna's ropes the Supreme Lord Vâmana said: (29) 'You have given Me three steps of land oh Asura. With two I occupied the complete surface of the earth and now you owe me a third one. (30) As far as the sun, the moon and the stars can shed their light and as far as the clouds are pouring rain, you own all the land. (31) In one step with My body occupying the sky in all directions I have covered the entire sphere of the earth [Bhûrloka] and with the second step I before your eyes occupied the higher worlds you own. (32) Unable to provide what you have promised, hell is your destination. Because also your guru is of this opinion, therefore go to that place where there is no happiness [see also 6.17: 28]. (33) Anyone who disappoints a petitioner by failing to give what he has promised, falls down deeply. Far removed from a higher life, his desires will lead nowhere. (34) You, proud of your possessions, have deceived Me with your promise. Having used such a false prospect you will therefore have to reside in hell for a couple of years.'