3. MAHABALI’S STORY

This is consecrated ground where Vishnu once sat in

meditation. (Although Rama was Vishnu, his human

incarnation made him unaware of his identity at the

moment.) While Vishnu was thus engaged, Mahabali seized

the earth and heaven and brought them under his subjection.

He celebrated his victory by performing a great yagna, and

used this occasion to invite and honour all learned men. All

the gods who had suffered in their encounter with Mahabali

arrived in a body at the spot where Vishnu was in meditation

and begged him to help them regain their kingdoms. In

response to their appeals, Vishnu took birth in a brahmin

family as a person of tiny proportions; within this diminutive

personality was packed a great deal of power and learning.

Mahabali was quick to sense his greatness when this

dwarfish man presented himself at the palace gate.

Mahabali received the visitor warmly and respectfully.

The visitor said, "I have come from afar after hearing of

your greatness. My ambition in life has been to have a

glimpse of one who is renowned alike for his valour and

generosity. Now, after meeting you, I have attained my life's

ambition. Achievements such as yours cannot be measured.When a poor man like me has a glimpse of your divinity, a

part of it comes to me also."

"Oh great one, do not praise me," Mahabali replied. "I am

after all a fighter and conqueror—base qualities when

compared to the learning and special attainments of one like

you. I am not easily led by appearances. I can know how

great you must be. I shall be happy if you will accept a gift in

return for the honour you have done in visiting me."

"Iwant nothing. I need no gift other than your goodwill."

"No, please don't go, ask for something, mention anything

you want. It will please me to grant it."

"If you insist, then give me a piece of land."

"Yes, choose it wherever you like."

"Not more than what would be measured in three strides

of my feet …"

Bali laughed, looked him up and down, and said, "Is that

all?"

"Yes."

"I shall now … ," began Mahabali, but before he could

complete his sentence, his guru Sukracharya interrupted to

warn, "King, do not be rash. The small figure you see is a

deception: he is minute, but this microcosm …"

"Oh, stop! I know my responsibility. To give while one can

is the right time, and to prevent a gift is an unholy act,unworthy of you. He who is selfish is never worse than the

one who stays the hand that is about to give. Don't stop me,"

he said; and poured out a little water from a vessel on the

upturned palm of the little man to seal his promise. (It is

found in some texts that at this moment Sukracharya

assumed the size of a bee and flew into the spout of the

vessel in order to block the flow of water and thus prevent the

oath being given. The dwarf, sensing this, took a sharp

dharba grass and thrust it in to clear the obstruction and it

pricked the eye of Sukracharya, who thereafter came to be

known as the one-eyed savant.) Pouring this oblation of

water, Bali said to the little man, "Now measure and take

your three steps of earth."

The moment the water fell on his hand, this person, who

was a figure of fun even to his parents till then, assumed a

majestic stature spanning the earth and the sky. With the first

step he measured the entire earth, with the second he

covered the heavens. No more space was left in the whole

universe, and he asked Mahabali, "Where shall I place the

third step?"

Mahabali, overawed, knelt, bowed, and said, "Here on my

head, if no other space is available." Vishnu raised his foot,

placed it on Mahabali's head, and pressed him down to the

netherworld. "You may stay there," he said, and thus

disposed of the tormentor of the worlds.Concluding the story, Viswamithra announced, "This is the

end of our journey for the time being. Here I will perform the

sacrifices under your protection."

In due course Viswamithra gathered a good company of

saints and made preparations for the yagna, Rama and

Lakshmana guarding the ground. Meanwhile the asuras

assembled in the skies above the holy ground, ready to

disrupt the yagna. The demons were armed with a variety of

deadly weapons; they shrieked and howled and attempted in

other ways to create confusion. They flung boiling water and

offal on the holy ground; uttered menaces, curses, and

blasphemies; tore out huge rocks and flung them down; and

set in force terrifying magical disturbances.

The saints looked distraught. Rama advised the sages,

"Do not feel disturbed. Proceed with your prayers."

Lakshmana said to Rama, "I will deal with them." He shot

at them, while Rama sent up his arrows and created an

umbrella to shield the sacrificial fire from being defiled by the

asuras' blood. Subahu and Mareecha, the sons of Thataka

thought this their best chance to avenge the death of their

mother and aimed their attack at Rama, whose first shot

carried Mareecha far out and threw him into the sea; the

second one eliminated Subahu. The demons who had

gathered with such zest withdrew in panic.

The sacrifice was successfully accomplished.

Viswamithra declared, "Rama, you alone could help me in this task.

This was performed not for my personal

satisfaction, but for the good of humanity itself."

Rama asked, "What next?"

Viswamithra said, "You have accomplished much now.

There is a great deal yet ahead of you," hinting at the tasks

that Rama would have to fulfill in this incarnation. "For the

present let us proceed towards Mithila City, where a great

yagna is to be performed by King Janaka, and where many

others will be arriving; you may enjoy this diversion."

Although he suggested this step as a sort of relaxation for

Rama, he knew by foresight that it was but the beginning of a

great series of events in which Rama's future would be

involved.

At the end of a day's journeying, they arrived at a valley

where the Ganges was flowing. "There you see," said

Viswamithra, "the river Ganga, the holiest river in the world,

starting from the Himalayas, running her course through

mountains and valleys and across several kingdoms. Today

she flows along peacefully, but at the beginning … Now

listen to her story."