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 honor 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 honor you have done in visiting me."

"I want 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 inthis 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."