CHAPTER XXVII
(THE DESTRUCTION OF BALI)
Janamejaya said:—The Daityas were slain by Vishnu's power: but what did they wish for when they grew powerful (1)?
Vaishampāyana said:—The highly powerful Dānavas, on account of their prowess, prayed for kingdom and the truthful Suras desired to carry on rigid austerities (2).
Janamejaya said:—Having acquired lordly powers, why did Bali, born in the race of Hiranyakashipu, celebrate in the days of yore, a long-extending sacrifice in the land between the Gangā and Yamuna (3)?
Vaishampāyana said:—O great king born in the race of Bharata, the highly powerful Bali, the foremost of Dānavas, celebrated a Rajasuya sacrifice with profuse gold in the land situated between Gangā and Yamunā. That was like a great ascetic penance for him. When that great Asura undertook the celebration of the Yajna, many Brāhmanas observant of ascetic vows and well read in the Vedas, accomplished Yatins, Vālikhilya Munis, and many other twice-born ones, who daily practised many religious rites, came there in a body. In that sacrifice rich presents were made. And the preceptor Shukra, like unto fire amongst the Brāhmanas, came there with his son for officiating as a priest on behalf of Bali. Like unto Hiranyakashipu amongst the Daityas Bali said to Saraswati:—"Thou didst tell me that thou wouldst of thy own accord confer a boon on me. Do thou do it now" (4-10).
In the form of a dwarf Vishnu accepted as alms ground for placing his three feet from that descendant of Hiranyakashipu (11). Afterwards the Eternal Vishnu invaded the three worlds with his three foot-steps and assumed a celestial form. Deprived of their kingdom and with their soldiers, Prāsas, swords Tomaras, rods, flags, standards, cars, coats of mail, cases, axes and other weapons, the Daityas entered into the nether region.
On the other side, filled with joy the gods, along with Vishnu, at once rose up and installed Indra as their king for establishing their sovereignty over all the worlds. Bali gratified them with the offering of ambrosia. Brahmā gave that ambrosia to Mahendra. With this work Bali was shorn of his sins and became immortal (12-16).
Thereupon first of all the gods blew the conch-shell which sprang from Brahmā's hands and the blare of which made the hairs of the enemy stand erect. Hearing the blare of that conch-shell the three worlds were controlled and having obtained Indra as their king they enjoyed great peace. Armed with weapons made of fire and effulgent the three worlds stood before the mount Mandara (17–19).
Source: https://archive.org/details/AProseEnglishTranslationOfHarivamsh
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