CHAPTER XL. THE BEGINNING OF THE DWARF INCARNATION: BALI BECOMES KING.
Vaishampāyana said:—I have thus described to you the man-lion incarnation. I will now describe the dwarf incarnation. Formerly the powerful Vishnu, assuming the form of a dwarf, occupied the kingdom of the three worlds with three footsteps in the sacrifice of the powerful Bali. Having released the earth he conferred it on the king of the celestials (1–3).
Kashyapa, the well-dressed son of Marichi, espoused two sisters of Prajapati, Diti and Aditi. The great Kashyapa begat on Aditi the twelve classes of the celestials, Dhātā, Aryamā, Mitra, Varuna, Angsha, Bhaga, Indra, Vivashwān, Pusha, Parjanya, Twasthā and Vishnu. He began on Diti the powerful Hiranyakashipu. The Daitya-chief Hiranyāksha was his younger brother. Hiranyakashipu had five highly powerful sons, namely Pralhada, Hlada, Sangrada, Jambha and Anuhrāda. Pralhāda's son was Virochana whose son was Bali. Their sons and grand-sons were all very powerful. Thousands of the descendants of these highly powerful daityas are seen all over the land. Having seen Hiranyakashipu slain by the Man-lion the Daityas made Bali their chief for the destruction of the gods. He was heroic, powerful, pious and self-controlled like Hiranyakashipu and therefore was installed as their king by the Daityas. They said: "O Daitya king, it is well known to you that the entire universe consisting of the three worlds, mobile and immobile, was under Hiranyakashipu. O slayer of gods, the celestials, having killed your grand-father, have stolen the three worlds and appointed Indra as their king. Therefore, O lord, try to rescue your ancestral kingdom with our help. May you fare well and regain your ancestral kingdom. Encircled by thousands of Asuras do you vanquish the celestials in their own region. Unlimited is your prowess and strength and by your accomplishments you have excelled even your grand-father (4-15)".
CHAPTER XLI. BALI'S PROSPERITY.
Vaishampāyana said:—The gods were (accordingly) defeated by the Daityas and the worlds were occupied by them. Maya and Samvara announced the victory of the highly powerful Bali. At that time the directions were clear, pious acts flourished, iniquity was suppressed, and the sun coursed regularly in its path. Pralhāda, Shamvara, Maya, and Anuhlāda carefully guarded all the quarters. People wended virtuous ways and there was absence of sin and increase of virtue. The Siddhas practised penances. Dharma flourished with four legs and Adharma (sin) with one. The kings properly protected their subjects and all the orders followed their respective duties. Bali was installed in the kingdom of gods unanimously by all the Asuras. When they began to shout in joy the boon-giving goddess of prosperity, with a lotus in her hand, appeared before Bali, and said:—"O foremost of the powerful, O highly effulgent Daitya king Bali, I have been pleased with you for your defeating the gods. May you fare well. Having displayed your prowess you have vanquished the king of gods in battle. Seeing your wonderful power I have come to you. O foremost of Dānavas, you are born in the race of Hiranyakashipu and have been appointed the king of Asuras. It is therefore no wonder for you to perform such a feat. You have excelled even that Daitya king who enjoyed the entire three worlds. Besides you are always virtuous and pious. O you of unlimited prowess, you will therefore rule over the three worlds".
Having thus addressed the Daitya king that beautiful boon-giving goddess Lakshmi disappeared (1-14).
CHAPTER XLII. THE GODS GO TO KASHYAPA FOR FINDING OUT MEANS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF BALI.
Janamejaya said:—O foremost of the twice-born and Munis, vanquished by the Daityas what did the gods do? And how did they regain their heavenly kingdom (1)?
Vaishampāyana said:—Hearing of a celestial voice the beautiful king of gods, along with the celestials, repaired to the most excellent palace of Aditi situate in the east (2). Having arrived there Purandara related to Aditi every word about the celestial message (3).
Aditi said:—O my child, yourself and all the immortals cannot slay Virochana’s son Bali. Only the thousand-headed Purusha is capable of slaying him and none else. However I will ask your father the truthfnl Kashyapa about the destruction of the great Daitya Bali (4–6).