How Lord Vāmana Conquered Bali Mahārāja

This article presents a thematic survey of Lord Vāmana's instructions on contentment, His strategic dealings with Bali Mahārāja, and His revelation of the mercy hidden within punishment. It organizes the profound teachings found in the Vaniquotes category Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Verses Spoken by Lord Vāmana.

Lord Vāmana is the first incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead to appear in the form of a human (a dwarf brāhmaṇa). His mission was to reclaim the universe from the demon king Bali Mahārāja and return it to Indra. However, unlike other incarnations who kill the demons, Vāmana chose to conquer Bali through charity and surrender. His teachings highlight the dangers of material dissatisfaction, the value of truthfulness, and the special favor shown to devotees when they are stripped of their material possessions.

Philosophy of Contentment (The Begging)

When Lord Vāmana approaches the sacrificial arena of Bali Mahārāja, Bali is charmed by the effulgence of the young brahmacārī and offers Him anything He desires—islands, gold, or villages. Vāmana declines these offers, asking only for three paces of land. He uses this opportunity to preach the vital importance of santoṣa (satisfaction).

Three Steps vs. The Universe

Lord Vāmana argues that greed has no limit. If a person cannot be satisfied with a small gift, acquiring the entire universe will not bring him peace.

  • "Vāmanadeva said: 'O King of the Daityas (Bali Mahārāja), from Your Majesty, who come from such a noble family and who are able to give charity munificently, I ask only three paces of land, to the measurement of My steps.'"
  • "O King, from you, the best of those who give charity, I ask only three paces of land. By such a gift I shall be very pleased, for the way of happiness is to be fully satisfied to receive that which is absolutely needed."
  • "O King, controller of the entire universe, although you are very munificent and are able to give Me as much land as I want, I do not want anything from you that is unnecessary."
  • "If I were not satisfied with three paces of land, then surely I would not be satisfied even with possessing one of the seven islands, consisting of nine varṣas. Even if I possessed one island, I would hope to get others."
  • "We have heard that although powerful kings like Mahārāja Pṛthu and Mahārāja Gaya achieved proprietorship over the seven dvīpas, they could not achieve satisfaction or find the end of their ambitions."

Fire of Dissatisfaction

Lord Vāmana compares a dissatisfied brāhmaṇa to a fire that loses its potency when sprinkled with water, warning that lack of contentment destroys spiritual power.

  • "One should be satisfied with whatever he achieves by his previous destiny, for discontent can never bring happiness. A person who is not self-controlled will not be happy even with possessing the three worlds."
  • "A brāhmaṇa who is satisfied with whatever is providentially obtained is increasingly enlightened with spiritual power, but the spiritual potency of a dissatisfied brāhmaṇa decreases, as fire diminishes in potency when water is sprinkled upon it."
  • "If a learned brāhmaṇa takes charity from others only according to his needs, he does not become entangled in sinful activities."
  • "One who is satisfied by that which is obtained by destiny is fit for liberation from this material existence."
  • "Material existence causes discontent in regard to fulfilling one's lusty desires and achieving more and more money. This is the cause for the continuation of material life, which is full of repeated birth and death."
  • "The Personality of Godhead said: O my dear King, even the entirety of whatever there may be within the three worlds to satisfy one's senses cannot satisfy a person whose senses are uncontrolled."

Praise of the Lineage (The Trap)

To encourage Bali to give charity despite the warnings of his guru Śukrācārya, Lord Vāmana glorifies Bali's ancestors. He recounts the heroism of Hiraṇyākṣa, Hiraṇyakaśipu, Virocana, and Prahlāda, appealing to Bali's sense of family honor.

Glory of Virocana and Prahlāda

Vāmana reminds Bali that his father Virocana gave his life to the demigods disguised as brāhmaṇas, and his grandfather Prahlāda is a great devotee.

  • "I know that even until now, no one taking birth in your family has been poor-minded or miserly. No one has refused to give charity to brāhmaṇas, nor after promising to give charity has anyone failed to fulfill his promise."
  • "O King Bali, never in your dynasty has the low-minded King been born who upon being requested has refused charity to brāhmaṇas in holy places or a fight to kṣatriyas on a battlefield."
  • "Your statements are very true, and they completely agree with religious etiquette. They are in keeping with the behavior of your family, and they enhance your reputation."
  • "The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: O King, you are indeed exalted because your present advisors are the brāhmaṇas who are descendants of Bhṛgu and because your instructor for your future life is your grandfather, the peaceful and venerable Prahlāda Mahārāja."
  • "You also have observed the principles followed by great personalities who are householder brāhmaṇas, by your forefathers and by great heroes who are extremely famous for their exalted activities."
  • "Your father, Virocana, the son of Mahārāja Prahlāda, was very affectionate toward brāhmaṇas. Although he knew very well that it was the demigods who had come to him in the dress of brāhmaṇas, at their request he delivered to them the duration of his life."

Hiraṇyākṣa's History

Lord Vāmana praises the prowess of Bali's great-uncle Hiraṇyākṣa, who wandered the universe alone seeking a rival.

  • "It was in your dynasty that Hiraṇyākṣa was born. Carrying only his own club, he wandered the globe alone, without assistance, to conquer all directions, and no hero he met could rival him."
  • "When delivering the earth from the Garbhodaka Sea, Lord Viṣṇu, in His incarnation as a boar, killed Hiraṇyākṣa, who had appeared before Him. The fight was severe, and the Lord killed Hiraṇyākṣa with great difficulty."

Hiraṇyakaśipu's Narrative (The Lesson)

Lord Vāmana narrates a fascinating historical detail about Hiraṇyakaśipu. After Hiraṇyākṣa's death, Hiraṇyakaśipu sought to kill Viṣṇu but could not find Him. Vāmana explains how Viṣṇu hid within the demon's own body, illustrating the limits of demoniac perception.

Invisible Enemy

Vāmana describes how Viṣṇu entered Hiraṇyakaśipu's nostril, causing the demon to search the universe in vain.

  • "When Hiraṇyakaśipu heard the news of his brother's being killed, with great anger he went to the residence of Viṣṇu, the killer of his brother, wanting to kill Lord Viṣṇu."
  • "Upon seeing that the residence of Lord Viṣṇu was vacant, Hiraṇyakaśipu began searching for Lord Viṣṇu everywhere."
  • "Angry at not seeing Him, Hiraṇyakaśipu screamed loudly and searched the entire universe, including the surface of the earth, the higher planetary systems, all directions and all the caves and oceans. But Hiraṇyakaśipu did not see Viṣṇu anywhere."
  • "Seeing Hiraṇyakaśipu coming forward bearing a trident in his hand like personified death, Lord Viṣṇu, the best of all mystics and the knower of the progress of time, thought as follows."
  • "Lord Vāmanadeva continued: O King of the demons, after Lord Viṣṇu made this decision, He entered the body of His enemy Hiraṇyakaśipu, who was running after Him with great force."
  • "In a subtle body inconceivable to Hiraṇyakaśipu, Lord Viṣṇu, who was in great anxiety, entered Hiraṇyakaśipu's nostril along with his breath."
  • "Hiraṇyakaśipu's anger against Lord Viṣṇu persisted until his death. Other people in the bodily concept of life maintain anger only because of false ego and the great influence of ignorance."

Conquest and Arrest (The Test)

After Bali agrees to the charity, Vāmana expands His form (Trivikrama), covering the entire earth with one step and the heavens with the second. He then arrests Bali with the ropes of Varuṇa, accusing him of failing to provide space for the third step.

Accusation of Falsehood

Vāmana acts as a harsh creditor, demanding the fulfillment of the promise or the punishment of hell. He reveals that this harshness was a "pretension" to test Bali.

  • "O King of the demons (Bali), you have promised to give Me (Vāmanadeva) three steps of land, but I have occupied the entire universe with two steps. Now think about where I should put My third."
  • "Of these possessions, with one step I have occupied Bhūrloka, and with My body I have occupied the entire sky and all directions. And in your presence, with My second step, I have occupied the upper planetary system."
  • "As far as the sun and moon shine with the stars and as far as the clouds pour rain, all the land throughout the universe is in your possession."
  • "Being falsely proud of your possessions, you promised to give Me land, but you could not fulfill your promise. Therefore, because your promise was false, you must live for a few years in hellish life."
  • "The rule is that you should go down to live in the hellish planets, because you have been unable to give charity according to your promise. Therefore, in accordance with the order of Śukrācārya, your spiritual master, now go down and live there."
  • "Far from being elevated to the heavenly planets or fulfilling one's desire, one who does not properly give a beggar what he has promised falls down to a hellish condition of life."

Glorifying Bali's Truthfulness

Vāmana later reveals to the demigods and Brahmā that He was testing Bali. He praises Bali for not deviating from the truth despite being humiliated and arrested.

  • "It was certainly with pretension that I spoke about religious principles, but he did not give up religious principles, for he is true to his word."
  • "Although bereft of his riches, fallen from his original position, defeated and arrested by his enemies, rebuked and deserted by his relatives and friends, Bali Mahārāja, being fixed in his vow, did not give up his truthfulness."
  • "Although suffering the pain of being bound and although rebuked and cursed by his spiritual master, Bali Mahārāja, being fixed in his vow, did not give up his truthfulness."
  • "Bali Mahārāja has become the most famous among the demons and nonbelievers, for in spite of being bereft of all material opulences, he is fixed in his devotional service."

Mercy of Punishment (Instructions to Brahmā)

When Lord Brahmā intercedes on Bali's behalf, Lord Vāmana explains the secret of His mercy: He takes away the material opulence of His devotees to save them from false pride.

Impediments to Devotion

Vāmana explains that high birth and wealth often act as barriers to spiritual life, making one "dull-witted" and disrespectful.

  • "The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Lord Brahmā, because of material opulence a foolish person becomes dull-witted and mad. Thus he has no respect for anyone within the three worlds and defies even My authority."
  • "Although aristocratic birth and other such opulences are impediments to advancement in devotional service because they are causes of false prestige and pride, these opulences never disturb a pure devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
  • "If a human being is born in an aristocratic family or a higher status of life, if he performs wonderful activities, if he is youthful, it is to be understood that he is especially favored by the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
  • "If a human being has personal beauty, a good education and good wealth, and if he is nonetheless not proud of his opulences, it is to be understood that he is especially favored by the Supreme Personality of Godhead."
  • "While rotating in the cycle of birth and death again and again in different species because of his own fruitive activities, the dependent living entity, by good fortune, may happen to become a human being. This human birth is very rarely obtained."

Supreme Benediction (Sutala and Protection)

Having tested Bali and found him pure, Lord Vāmana returns more than He took. He awards Bali the planet Sutala, which is superior to heaven, and promises to personally guard his door.

The Gift of Sutala

Vāmana grants Bali a kingdom free from anxiety and declares that He will always be present there.

  • "The Lord continued: Because of his great tolerance, I have given him a place not obtainable even by the demigods. He will become King of the heavenly planets during the period of the Manu known as Sāvarṇi."
  • "Until Bali Mahārāja achieves the position of King of heaven, he shall live on the planet Sutala, which was made by Viśvakarmā according to My order."
  • "It is free from mental and bodily miseries, fatigue, dizziness, defeat and all other disturbances because it is especially protected by Me. Bali Mahārāja, you may now go live there peacefully."
  • "O Bali Mahārāja (Indrasena), now you may go to the planet Sutala, which is desired even by the demigods. Live there peacefully, surrounded by your friends and relatives. All good fortune unto you."
  • "On the planet Sutala, not even the predominating deities of other planets, what to speak of ordinary people, will be able to conquer you (Bali Mahārāja). As far as the demons are concerned, if they transgress your rule, My (Vāmana's) disc will kill them."
  • "O great hero, I shall always be with you and give you protection in all respects along with your associates and paraphernalia. Moreover, you will always be able to see Me there."
  • "The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: You shall be able to see Me there in My usual feature with conchshell, disc, club and lotus in My hand. Because of your transcendental bliss due to always personally seeing Me, you will have no further bondage to fruitive activities."
  • "Your materialistic ideas and anxieties that have arisen from your association with the demons and Dānavas will immediately be vanquished because there you will see My supreme prowess."

Final Words to Associates

Vāmana concludes by blessing Prahlāda and asking Śukrācārya to rectify any discrepancies in the sacrifice.

  • "The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear son Prahlāda, all good fortune unto you. For the time being, please go to the place known as Sutala and there enjoy happiness with your grandson and your other relatives and friends."
  • "O best of the brāhmaṇas, Śukrācārya, please describe the fault or discrepancy in your disciple Bali Mahārāja, who engaged in performing sacrifices. This fault will be nullified when judged in the presence of qualified brāhmaṇas."
  • "Bali Mahārāja said: O son of a brāhmaṇa, Your instructions are as good as those of learned and elderly persons. Nonetheless, You are a boy, and Your intelligence is insufficient. Thus You are not very prudent in regard to Your self-interest."

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

This article is a thematic compilation of the teachings presented in the Vaniquotes category Bhagavatam Verses Spoken by Lord Vamana. We invite you to visit the link to read the complete collection of verses presented in alphabetical order.

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