rule



 

Canto 8

Vibhâvarî S'esha

 

 

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. Therefore, oh god of man, he approached Him together with vowed brahmacârîs, like the sages headed by Marîci and powerful mystics like Sanandana and the other Kumâras. (2-3) 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, they thereupon offered their obeisances at Lord Vishnu's lotus feet. They did this together with other visitors who, ignited by the winds of yoga and the fire of spiritual knowledge, free from fruitive activities had attained his abode by simply meditating on the self-born one. 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 after first having worshiped 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 heaven 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 [Vâmanadeva] and collected with all their followers the necessities for worshiping the All-powerful Soul who now had appeared in a reduced 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, like vibrating conch shells and beating kettledrums. (8) Jâmbavân, the king of the bears, blissfully sounded the bugle in every direction and called for 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, [Bali,] being initiated for performing a yajña, is not able to speak a lie. (13) In service of our master it is therefore our duty to kill Him!' The Asura followers of Bali thus took up their different weapons. (14) Oh King, having taken up their tridents and lances to kill Vâmana, 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) When 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. It is not the right 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. (23) In the past you, favored by providence, managed to defeat many followers of Vishnu, but today they, who managed to prosper, are roaring that they defeated us in battle [see B.G. 18: 13-15]. (24) We will defeat them when fate works again in our favor, we therefore have to 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 entered the lower regions, oh King, being driven there 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] on the request 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 all the earth and now I have to make 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, now 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. Far removed from a higher life, his desires will lead nowhere. (34) Proud of your possessions you have deceived Me with your promise. As a consequence of that falsehood you will have to reside in hell for a couple of years.'

 

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Third revised edition, loaded September 9, 2019.

 

 

 

Previous Aadhar edition and Vedabase links:

Text 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. Therefore, oh god of man, he approached Him together with vowed brahmacârîs, like the sages headed by Marîci and powerful mystics like Sanandana and the other Kumâras.

S'rî S'uka said: 'He who appeared on the lotus [Brahmâ] saw from the place of truth [from Satyaloka] how by the effulgence of the Lord His toenails, the light of his own abode had been covered and had waned and thus, o god of man, approached he Him with vowed brahmacârîs like the sages headed by Marîci and Sanandana and the other Kumâras. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2-3

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, they thereupon offered their obeisances at Lord Vishnu's lotus feet. They did this together with other visitors who, ignited by the winds of yoga and the fire of spiritual knowledge, free from fruitive activities had attained his abode by simply meditating on the self-born one. 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 after first having worshiped Him with oblations of water [see also 3.8].

Fully expert in the Vedas and their supplements, the regulations and the abstinence; well versed in logic, history, didactics, the classical stories, the vedic corollaries and more were the sages joined by others of whom, ignited by the winds of yoga and the fire of spiritual knowledge, all karmic impurity had ended when they, by simply meditating and offering their prayers, had attained the abode of the self-born one. The one who originated from the lotus then paid homage worshiping Lord Vishnu His lotus feet with oblations of water and thus was He pleased, very pleased by the reverent devotion He received from the most celebrated vedic authority, from him who as a person had appeared on the lotus that had sprouted from His navel [see also 3.8]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 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 heaven purifies the three worlds, the same way the fame of the Supreme Lord purifies.

That water from Lord Brahmâ's kamandalu, pure from washing the feet of Lord Urukrama, o king of the humans, so became the [celestial] Svardhunî of which the water flowing down from outer space purifies the three worlds as the fame of the Supreme Lord. (Vedabase)

 

Text 5

Lord Brahmâ and the others, they who were the predominating deities of the different worlds, were of the greatest respect for their master [Vâmanadeva] and collected with all their followers the necessities for worshiping the All-powerful Soul who now had appeared in a reduced size.

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. (Vedabase)

 

Text 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, like vibrating conch shells and beating kettledrums.

With water for the feet and for the guests, flowergarlands, all sorts of pulp to smear, incense and lamps all fragrant, fried rice, whole grains, fruits, roots and sprouts, offered they their respects exclaiming 'Jaya, jaya' to the glory of His actions, thereby dancing, singing and playing instruments with the vibrations of conchshells and kettledrums beaten. (Vedabase)

  

Text 8

Jâmbavân, the king of the bears, blissfully sounded the bugle in every direction and called for a great festival for [celebrating] His victory.

Jâmbavân, the king of the apes [also: bears], enraptured sounding the bugle heralded everywhere in each direction the great festival. (Vedabase)

 

Text 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:

The Asuras who saw that all the land of their master, so determined in the sacrifice, was lost on the simple plea of three steps of land were very angry: (Vedabase)

  

Text 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?

'Isn't this brahmin friend actually Vishnu Himself, who as the greatest of all cheaters assuming the form of a twice-born one willfully is trying to deceive us in the interest of the godly? (Vedabase)

 

Text 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.

By Him, the enemy, in the form of a brahmacârî mendicant, has all that our master possesses been taken away because he, vowed to the ritual, gave up the clout. (Vedabase)


Text 12

Favorable to the brahmins and always sworn to the truth, he, [Bali,] being initiated for performing a yajña, is not able to speak a lie.

Ever sworn to the truth is he, consacrated for the yajña and always sympathetic with the brahminical, personally incapable of telling a lie. (Vedabase)


Text 13

In service of our master it is therefore our duty to kill Him!' The Asura followers of Bali thus took up their different weapons.

It is therefore our duty to our master to kill this one here!', and so took all the asura followers of Bali up a wide range of weapons. (Vedabase)

 

Text 14

Oh King, having taken up their tridents and lances to kill Vâmana, they with their angry minds all together rushed forward against the will of Bali.

Aggravated by their angry nature having taken up tridents and lances rushed they all together forward against the will of Bali, o King. (Vedabase)

 

Text 15

But the associates of Vishnu who saw the Daitya soldiers coming, oh ruler, smiled, took up their weapons and threw them back.

Seeing the daitya soldiers coming forward, o ruler, made the associates of Vishnu smile as they stopped them taking up their arms. (Vedabase)

  

Text 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.

Nanda and Sunanda waged as well as did Jaya, Vijaya, Prabala, Bala, Kumuda, Kumudâksha, Vishvaksena, Patattrirâth [Garuda], Jayanta, S'rutadeva, Pushpadanta and Sâtvata; all together they as strong as a thousand elephants killed the asura soldiers. (Vedabase)

 

Text 18

When 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:

After Bali saw his men being killed by the Original Personality His associates, remembered he the curse of S'ukrâcârya [8.20: 15] and commanded he their retreat despite of their anger: (Vedabase)

Text 19

'Oh Vipracitti, Râhu and Nemi, please listen, do not fight, stop with this. It is not the right time to settle this.

'O Vipracitti, o Râhu, o Nemi, please listen, don't fight, stop with this, now is not the time to settle this. (Vedabase)

 

Text 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.

That Master of All Living Beings, that Person of Control deciding about happiness and distress, can by human effort not be superseded, o Daityas. (Vedabase)

 

Text 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.

Previously time worked in our favor and brought us the victory over the godly, but today does the time, which indeed is the Supreme Lord in existence, work against us. (Vedabase)

 

Text 22

No man is able to surpass the time factor by any power, counsel, cleverness, fortifications, spells, herbs, diplomacy or by whatever other means.

Not by any power, counsel, cleverness, fortifications, spells or herbs, diplomacy or other means or likewise schemes is but a single person able to surpass the time factor. (Vedabase)

 

Text 23

In the past you, favored by providence, managed to defeat many followers of Vishnu, but today they, who managed to prosper, are roaring that they defeated us in battle [see B.G. 18: 13-15].

All these followers of Vishnu who enjoyed the wealth by providence were by you in great numbers defeated and today indeed are they cheering in defeating us in battle [see B.G. 18: 13-15]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 24

We will defeat them when fate works again in our favor, we therefore have to await the time of our luck.'

We shall gain victory over them all to the favor of providence and therefore must we now await the time that is to our advantage.' (Vedabase)

 

Text 25

S'rî S'uka said: 'After the Daitya and Dânava leaders had heard what their master said, they entered the lower regions, oh King, being driven there by the associates of Vishnu.

S'rî S'uka said: 'After the daitya and dânava leaders heard what their master told them entered they the lower regions, o King, driven there by the associates of Vishnu. (Vedabase)

  

Text 26

Thereafter, on the day when for the sacrifice the soma is extracted [soma-pâna], Bali was arrested by the son of Târkshya [Garuda] on the request of the Master of the King of the Birds [Lord Vishnu] and bound with the ropes of Varuna.

Thereafter, on the day when to the sacrifice the soma is taken [soma-pâna], was Bali, to the desire of the master [Lord Vishnu], by the son of Târkshya, the king of the birds [Garuda] arrested who bound him with the ropes of Varuna. (Vedabase)

 

Text 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.

From all directions rose everywhere in the upper and lower worlds a great roar of disappointment because of the apprehension of the asura leader by Vishnu, the mightiest around. (Vedabase)

 

Text 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:

Bereft of his luster remained he, so magnanimous and celebrated o King, determined as ever. Unto him bound thus by Varuna's ropes then spoke the Supreme Lord Vâmana: (Vedabase)

 

Text 29

'You have given Me three steps of land, oh Asura. With two I occupied all the earth and now I have to make a third one.

'Three steps of land have you given Me, o Asura; with two I occupied the complete of all the earth's surface and now you owe me for the third one. (Vedabase)

 

Text 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.

As far as the sun, the moon and the stars can shed their light and as far as the clouds are pouring rain, do you own all the land covered. (Vedabase)

 

Text 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.

 With one step only I covered the entire sphere of the earth [Bhûrloka], with My body occupying the sky in all directions and with the second step I took before your eyes for Myself the higher worlds that were in your possession. (Vedabase)

 

Text 32

Unable to provide what you have promised, hell is your destination. Because also your guru is of this opinion, now go to that place where there is no happiness [see also 6.17: 28].

Unable to give what you promised is it the rule that you yourself now stay out of it; and getting out it is as your guru would like [see also 6.17: 28]. (Vedabase)


Text 33

Anyone who disappoints a petitioner by failing to give what he has promised, falls down. Far removed from a higher life, his desires will lead nowhere.

Anyone cheating a mendicant in falling short to give what was promised, falls down the more, and must, far removed from the higher life, ruminate fruitlessly. (Vedabase)

 

Text 34

Proud of your possessions you have deceived Me with your promise. As a consequence of that falsehood you will have to reside in hell for a couple of years.'

Now that I've been fooled by you saying 'this I promise and that I'm so proud of' will you therefore as a consequence of this offensive result have to live out of it all for some years.' (Vedabase)

 

 

 

 

 

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The picture on this page is titled 'Vamana' Tiruchchirappalli , c.a 1825.
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