Mahabali looked in awe and wonder as Vamana’s size grew exponentially, so much that His head disappeared into the clouds and His upper body went beyond the heavens. But his piercing eyes, filled with love and kindness, seemed to bless the Asura king, who stood wonderstruck at the divine scene unfolding before him. 

Mahabali was oblivious to the loud cries of his wife, Vindhyavali and his sons Namasu and Banasura. He didn’t hear his wife pleading with him, “My Lord, run! Run away from there.” But Mahabali was bewitched. He stared up into the sky, afraid that if he looked away, he might miss the most magical moment of his life.

Vindhyavali was shouting at the top of her voice, which had taken on the sound of fearful shrieks. “Vamana is not what he seems! He is out to get you today. Guru Shukracharya and I tried to warn you so much. But you didn’t listen to our reasoning. Now, at least, save yourself from Him. Run! Run!” 

Bali did not see his sons Namasu and Banasura holding on to Vamana’s legs in a vain attempt to deter His meteoric ballooning. But Mahabali was deaf to all pleas, not by choice but by the power of His wonder.  

Mahabali simply stared, mesmerised by His glorious form as He took the promised first step with his right foot, which covered the heavens. He lifted his left leg to put it forward, for which he thrust the weight of his body on the right leg, creating mammoth ripples in the whole world. Gigantic waves formed on the oceans while humans, Asuras, and Devas shivered in fearful awe.  His destructive form could do that.

The second step covered Mother Earth, resulting in a thunderous slow rumble that expanded into an avalanche, scattering the Asuras in all directions, like withered flowers fluttering helplessly in a furious gust. With both feet firmly planted on the heavens and Earth, Vamana looked at King Bali, who still hadn’t taken his eyes off of Him.

“You promised me the land covering my three steps. I’ve covered the heavens and the Earth with two steps. Where do I place my foot for the third step, O Mighty Asura?”

Mahabali stared, stupefied. His wife, sons, Guru Shukracharya, and the rest of his family and army also stood rooted to the spot, as bewildered as their king, as His resonating voice filled the cosmos. 

King Bali found his voice after a while and said, in bowed reverence, “O Lord, this entire cosmos is yours and is embedded in you as much as you are embedded in it. Why do you need to ask me where to place your feet?” 

Bali’s mind was in turmoil. On the one hand, he was thrilled that Lord Vishnu, his favourite deity, had come to visit him. But, on the other hand, he was angry that despite being His ardent devotee, Lord Vishnu couldn’t take his side and had come to finish him off. He had enough rumours about the Devas seeking His help. 

Vamana read his devotee’s thoughts. “Don’t hesitate to seek answers for your questions, my dear Mahabali. I’m here not only to liberate you but also to put your mind at ease. Ask away.” His benevolent smile filled Mahabali’s heart with an explicable gentleness.

“I now understand your true purpose. You came as a small boy seeking land that covered three of your little feet. I was haughty enough to think what three little feet could dent my vast territories and unlimited power. My family and guru all warned me about you. They kept telling me that you are not what you seemed. But something told me not to listen to their advice. Now I see your true form. Why do you want to kill me? Are you unhappy with my devotion?”

Vamana’s bewitching smile held Mahabali in its thrall. He replied, “First, let me remind you that death only kills the body. The soul lives on. I always come to my devotees when they need me. You are my ardent devotee. How can I stay away when you need my help? Didn’t I come to help your grandfather, Prahlad, when his father threatened him?”

“But he called for You, Lord. He called you because his father was not your devotee. My great-grandfather, Hiranyakashipu, hated you, and my grandfather called you to help teach him a lesson. Whereas, I worship you. I believe you are the center and the cause of the cosmos. Yet, you come to kill me. What did I do wrong?”

“You desire to control everything to the point of thinking you are God to all except Me. You treated the Devas and sages with disdain and contempt, plundering and looting Indraloka and taking away the treasures from there. Is that right?”

“Yes, as a warrior and an Asura king, I have fought wars with the Devas in the right spirit of warfare. I have claimed their territories like a true warrior. I own everything I conquer, isn’t it?”

“Nothing belongs to anyone in this universe. You only have the privilege of using the resources you gain or earn. But when it’s time to go, you leave everything behind, including your body. Only your soul merges with Me. And remember, your soul needs nothing material. So, while you can access what you believe you have earned through rightful means, nothing really belongs to anyone. Respect and dignity for all is the root of civilization, and you forgot that as power and strength consumed you.”

“But I also acknowledge that You are my God against the wishes of all my kinsmen. So, as a devotee, don’t I get your protection?”

“I am your protector, the One Who protects you against all kinds of evil. Today, I come to protect you against yourself. I come to show you the right path that will bring your soul to me. Remember, I am also the protector of the Devas. They have a right to their place in this cosmos just as you and your followers do. If they come seeking my protection, shouldn’t I help them, too? Where will they go if you usurp their land and give them nothing?”

Mahabali’s eyes filled with tears at Vamana’s wise words. He bowed low and said, “Lord Vishnu, you can place the third step on my head. I am ready to sacrifice myself. I am honoured to die at Your hands. But I love my subjects. I cannot leave them like this, orphaned and alone. You have to help me help them.”

“Don’t worry, my dear Bali. I never abandon my devotees. And you are Mahabali or the Great Bali for a good reason. You are a beloved king of your subjects and an outstanding warrior. As I place my feet on your head, you will be pushed to the Patal Loka. You will be immortal and rule there until the end of Kali Yuga. The Asuras will follow you there. Neither you nor they will be alone.”

“But I love the world of humans too. They have loved me as their king. I should at least get to see them whenever I want.”

“For that, I grant you a boon that you will come to bountiful Earth one day every year, and your subjects will invite you to their homes, offering you delectable feasts and joyous celebrations ”

Mahabali was happy, but he had one more grouse. He said, “So, you will push the Asuras to the underworld and keep the Devas in heaven? Why do the Asuras get the underworld? Why the injustice?”

“Names are mere labels, Mahabali. For Me, Patal Loka and Deva Loka are the same. Asuras and Devas are also the same for me. A devotee in one place is as good as a devotee in another place. You make your own hell or heaven. Arrogance, love, compassion, jealousy, and every other emotion can find a place among the Devas as much as they can root themselves among the Asuras. The choice is yours to make. Go, make Patal Loka your heavenly abode with your beloved subjects.”

Vamana placed his feet on Mahabali’s bowed head. The Earth cracked open, and the bounteous, beautiful Patal Loka opened up, taking its immortal king into its womb!

This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.