Bali Maharaja Conquers the Heavenly Planets

Verse 1 (bhagavata.8.15.1)

श्रीराजोवाच बलेः पदत्रयं भूमेः कस्माद्धरिरयाचत । भूतेश्वरः कृपणवल्लब्धार्थोऽपि बबन्ध तम् ॥ 15.1 ॥

śrī-rājovāca baleḥ pada-trayaṁ bhūmeḥ kasmād dharir ayācata bhūteśvaraḥ kṛpaṇa-val labdhārtho ’pi babandha tam

The King said: Why did Hari, the lord of all beings, beg three paces of land from Bali as though he were some poor man in need, and why, even after receiving what he had asked for, did he then bind Bali?

Verse 2 (bhagavata.8.15.2)

एतद् वेदितुमिच्छामो महत्कौतूहलं हि नः । याच्ञेश्वरस्य पूर्णस्य बन्धनं चाप्यनागसः ॥ 15.2 ॥

etad veditum icchāmo mahat kautūhalaṁ hi naḥ yācñeśvarasya pūrṇasya bandhanaṁ cāpy anāgasaḥ

We are most eager to understand this: he who is the Lord himself, yet took on the role of a beggar; he who is ever complete and wanting nothing, yet bound one who was without fault — this is a matter of the greatest wonder to us.

Verse 3 (bhagavata.8.15.3)

श्रीशुक उवाच पराजितश्रीरसुभिश्च हापितो हीन्द्रेण राजन्भृगुभिः स जीवितः । सर्वात्मना तानभजद् भृगून्बलिः शिष्यो महात्मार्थनिवेदनेन ॥ 15.3 ॥

śrī-śuka uvāca parājita-śrīr asubhiś ca hāpito hīndreṇa rājan bhṛgubhiḥ sa jīvitaḥ sarvātmanā tān abhajad bhṛgūn baliḥ śiṣyo mahātmārtha-nivedanena

Sri Sukadeva said: O King, defeated by Indra, Bali had lost both his fortune and his life, but the descendants of Bhrigu restored him to life. In gratitude, that great soul became their disciple and served the Bhrigus wholeheartedly, offering them everything he had.

Verse 4 (bhagavata.8.15.4)

तं ब्राह्मणा भृगवः प्रीयमाणा अयाजयन्विश्वजिता त्रिणाकम् । जिगीषमाणं विधिनाभिषिच्य महाभिषेकेण महानुभावाः ॥ 15.4 ॥

taṁ brāhmaṇā bhṛgavaḥ prīyamāṇā ayājayan viśvajitā tri-ṇākam jigīṣamāṇaṁ vidhinābhiṣicya mahābhiṣekeṇa mahānubhāvāḥ

Pleased with him and his desire to reconquer the three worlds, the noble brahmanas of the Bhrigu line duly consecrated him with a great ceremonial bathing and had him perform the sacrifice called Vishvajit.

Verse 5 (bhagavata.8.15.5)

ततो रथः काञ्चनपट्टनद्धो हयाश्च हर्यश्वतुरङ्गवर्णाः । ध्वजश्च सिंहेन विराजमानो हुताशनादास हविर्भिरिष्टात् ॥ 15.5 ॥

tato rathaḥ kāñcana-paṭṭa-naddho hayāś ca haryaśva-turaṅga-varṇāḥ dhvajaś ca siṁhena virājamāno hutāśanād āsa havirbhir iṣṭāt

Then, from the fire fed with those oblations, there arose a chariot bound in plates of gold, horses of the same hue as Indra's own steeds, and a banner emblazoned with a lion.

Verse 6 (bhagavata.8.15.6)

धनुश्च दिव्यं पुरटोपनद्धं तूणावरिक्तौ कवचं च दिव्यम् । पितामहस्तस्य ददौ च माला- मम्लानपुष्पां जलजं च शुक्रः ॥ 15.6 ॥

dhanuś ca divyaṁ puraṭopanaddhaṁ tūṇāv ariktau kavacaṁ ca divyam pitāmahas tasya dadau ca mālām amlāna-puṣpāṁ jalajaṁ ca śukraḥ

A celestial bow bound in gold, two quivers that never emptied, and celestial armor also appeared. His grandfather Prahlada gave him a garland of unfading flowers, and Shukracharya gave him a conch.

Verse 7 (bhagavata.8.15.7)

एवं स विप्रार्जितयोधनार्थ- स्तैः कल्पितस्वस्त्ययनोऽथ विप्रान् । प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य कृतप्रणामः प्रह्लादमामन्त्र्य नमश्चकार ॥ 15.7 ॥

evaṁ sa viprārjita-yodhanārthas taiḥ kalpita-svastyayano ’tha viprān pradakṣiṇī-kṛtya kṛta-praṇāmaḥ prahrādam āmantrya namaś-cakāra

Having thus received all the implements of war through the brahmanas' power, and blessed by their invocations, he circled them in reverence and bowed down; then, taking his leave of Prahlada, he offered obeisances to him as well.

Verse 8 (bhagavata.8.15.8)

अथारुह्य रथं दिव्यं भृगुदत्तं महारथः । सुस्रग्धरोऽथ सन्नह्य धन्वी खड्गी धृतेषुधिः ॥ 15.8 ॥

athāruhya rathaṁ divyaṁ bhṛgu-dattaṁ mahārathaḥ susrag-dharo ’tha sannahya dhanvī khaḍgī dhṛteṣudhiḥ

Then that mighty warrior mounted the celestial chariot given him by the Bhrigus, wearing a fine garland, clad in armor, bow, sword and quiver in hand,

Verse 9 (bhagavata.8.15.9)

हेमाङ्गदलसद्बाहुः स्फुरन्मकरकुण्डलः । रराज रथमारूढो धिष्ण्यस्थ इव हव्यवाट् ॥ 15.9 ॥

hemāṅgada-lasad-bāhuḥ sphuran-makara-kuṇḍalaḥ rarāja ratham ārūḍho dhiṣṇya-stha iva havyavāṭ

his arms gleaming with golden armlets, his ears flashing with crocodile-shaped earrings — he shone there upon his chariot like the very fire-god enthroned upon his sacred altar.

Verse 10 (bhagavata.8.15.10)

तुल्यैश्वर्यबलश्रीभिः स्वयूथैर्दैत्ययूथपैः । पिबद्भिरिव खं दृग्भिर्दहद्भिः परिधीनिव ॥ 15.10 ॥

tulyaiśvarya-bala-śrībhiḥ sva-yūthair daitya-yūthapaiḥ pibadbhir iva khaṁ dṛgbhir dahadbhiḥ paridhīn iva

Surrounded by demon commanders and his own troops, equal to him in power, opulence and splendor, who seemed almost to drink up the sky with their glances and set every quarter ablaze,

Verse 11 (bhagavata.8.15.11)

वृतो विकर्षन् महतीमासुरीं ध्वजिनीं विभुः । ययाविन्द्रपुरीं स्वृद्धां कम्पयन्निव रोदसी ॥ 15.11 ॥

vṛto vikarṣan mahatīm āsurīṁ dhvajinīṁ vibhuḥ yayāv indra-purīṁ svṛddhāṁ kampayann iva rodasī

the mighty Bali, drawing that vast demon army along with him, set out for Indra's opulent city, seeming almost to make heaven and earth tremble as he went.

Verse 12 (bhagavata.8.15.12)

रम्यामुपवनोद्यानैः श्रीमद्भिर्नन्दनादिभिः । कूजद्विहङ्गमिथुनैर्गायन्मत्तमधुव्रतैः । प्रवालफलपुष्पोरुभारशाखामरद्रुमैः ॥ 15.12 ॥

ramyām upavanodyānaiḥ śrīmadbhir nandanādibhiḥ kūjad-vihaṅga-mithunair gāyan-matta-madhuvrataiḥ pravāla-phala-puṣporu- bhāra-śākhāmara-drumaiḥ

That city was delightful with lovely groves and gardens such as Nandana, where pairs of birds warbled and intoxicated bees hummed their songs, and the branches of undying trees bent low under the weight of new shoots, fruit and blossom.

Verse 13 (bhagavata.8.15.13)

हंससारसचक्राह्वकारण्डवकुलाकुलाः । नलिन्यो यत्र क्रीडन्ति प्रमदाः सुरसेविताः ॥ 15.13 ॥

haṁsa-sārasa-cakrāhva- kāraṇḍava-kulākulāḥ nalinyo yatra krīḍanti pramadāḥ sura-sevitāḥ

There, in lotus pools thick with flocks of swans, cranes, chakravaka birds and karandava ducks, lovely women, attended by the gods, sported in the water.

Verse 14 (bhagavata.8.15.14)

आकाशगङ्गया देव्या वृतां परिखभूतया । प्राकारेणाग्निवर्णेन साट्टालेनोन्नतेन च ॥ 15.14 ॥

ākāśa-gaṅgayā devyā vṛtāṁ parikha-bhūtayā prākāreṇāgni-varṇena sāṭṭālenonnatena ca

The city was encircled by the celestial Ganges, serving as its moat, and by a lofty rampart, fire-colored, crowned with watchtowers.

Verse 15 (bhagavata.8.15.15)

रुक्मपट्टकपाटैश्च द्वारैः स्फटिकगोपुरैः । जुष्टां विभक्तप्रपथां विश्वकर्मविनिर्मिताम् ॥ 15.15 ॥

rukma-paṭṭa-kapāṭaiś ca dvāraiḥ sphaṭika-gopuraiḥ juṣṭāṁ vibhakta-prapathāṁ viśvakarma-vinirmitām

It had gates fitted with panels of gold and towering gateways of crystal, its well-laid roads all the work of Vishvakarma himself.

Verse 16 (bhagavata.8.15.16)

सभाचत्वररथ्याढ्यां विमानैर्न्यर्बुदैर्युताम् । शृङ्गाटकैर्मणिमयैर्वज्रविद्रुमवेदिभिः ॥ 15.16 ॥

sabhā-catvara-rathyāḍhyāṁ vimānair nyarbudair yutām śṛṅgāṭakair maṇimayair vajra-vidruma-vedibhiḥ

Rich with assembly halls, open squares and thoroughfares, it held countless flying craft; its crossroads were paved with gems, and its platforms built of diamond and coral.

Verse 17 (bhagavata.8.15.17)

यत्र नित्यवयोरूपाः श्यामा विरजवाससः । भ्राजन्ते रूपवन्नार्यो ह्यर्चिर्भिरिव वह्नयः ॥ 15.17 ॥

yatra nitya-vayo-rūpāḥ śyāmā viraja-vāsasaḥ bhrājante rūpavan-nāryo hy arcirbhir iva vahnayaḥ

There, women ever youthful and lovely, clad in spotless garments, shone as brightly as flames themselves shine within fire.

Verse 18 (bhagavata.8.15.18)

सुरस्त्रीकेशविभ्रष्टनवसौगन्धिकस्रजाम् । यत्रामोदमुपादाय मार्ग आवाति मारुतः ॥ 15.18 ॥

sura-strī-keśa-vibhraṣṭa- nava-saugandhika-srajām yatrāmodam upādāya mārga āvāti mārutaḥ

Through its streets the wind blew, carrying with it the fragrance of fresh, sweet-scented garlands that had slipped loose from the hair of the celestial women.

Verse 19 (bhagavata.8.15.19)

हेमजालाक्षनिर्गच्छद्धूमेनागुरुगन्धिना । पाण्डुरेण प्रतिच्छन्नमार्गे यान्ति सुरप्रियाः ॥ 15.19 ॥

hema-jālākṣa-nirgacchad- dhūmenāguru-gandhinā pāṇḍureṇa praticchanna- mārge yānti sura-priyāḥ

Along roads veiled in white, fragrant aloe-wood smoke drifting out through golden latticed windows, the beloved women of the gods came and went.

Verse 20 (bhagavata.8.15.20)

मुक्तावितानैर्मणिहेमकेतुभि- र्नानापताकावलभीभिरावृताम् । शिखण्डिपारावतभृङ्गनादितां वैमानिकस्त्रीकलगीतमङ्गलाम् ॥ 15.20 ॥

muktā-vitānair maṇi-hema-ketubhir nānā-patākā-valabhībhir āvṛtām śikhaṇḍi-pārāvata-bhṛṅga-nāditāṁ vaimānika-strī-kala-gīta-maṅgalām

Draped in canopies of pearl and banners of gem-set gold, its rooftops crowded with flags of every kind, the city echoed with the calls of peacocks, doves and bees, while from the flying craft above came the sweet, auspicious songs of women.

Verse 21 (bhagavata.8.15.21)

मृदङ्गशङ्खानकदुन्दुभिस्वनैः सतालवीणामुरजेष्टवेणुभिः । नृत्यैः सवाद्यैरुपदेवगीतकै- र्मनोरमां स्वप्रभया जितप्रभाम् ॥ 15.21 ॥

mṛdaṅga-śaṅkhānaka-dundubhi-svanaiḥ satāla-vīṇā-murajeṣṭa-veṇubhiḥ nṛtyaiḥ savādyair upadeva-gītakair manoramāṁ sva-prabhayā jita-prabhām

Filled with the resounding of mridangas, conches, small and large kettledrums, with vinas keeping time, with murajas and flutes, and with dancing set to song from the Gandharvas, that enchanting city outshone all other splendor by its own radiance.

Verse 22 (bhagavata.8.15.22)

यां न व्रजन्त्यधर्मिष्ठाः खला भूतद्रुहः शठाः । मानिनः कामिनो लुब्धा एभिर्हीना व्रजन्ति यत् ॥ 15.22 ॥

yāṁ na vrajanty adharmiṣṭhāḥ khalā bhūta-druhaḥ śaṭhāḥ māninaḥ kāmino lubdhā ebhir hīnā vrajanti yat

Those who are unrighteous, wicked, hostile to other beings, deceitful, arrogant, lustful or greedy cannot enter that city; only those free of such faults may go there.

Verse 23 (bhagavata.8.15.23)

तां देवधानीं स वरूथिनीपति- र्बहिः समन्ताद् रुरुधे पृतन्यया । आचार्यदत्तं जलजं महास्वनं दध्मौ प्रयुञ्जन्भयमिन्द्रयोषिताम् ॥ 15.23 ॥

tāṁ deva-dhānīṁ sa varūthinī-patir bahiḥ samantād rurudhe pṛtanyayā ācārya-dattaṁ jalajaṁ mahā-svanaṁ dadhmau prayuñjan bhayam indra-yoṣitām

That commander of a vast host encircled the city of the gods on every side with his forces, and, blowing with a mighty blast the conch given him by his teacher, struck terror into the hearts of Indra's own women.

Verse 24 (bhagavata.8.15.24)

मघवांस्तमभिप्रेत्य बलेः परममुद्यमम् । सर्वदेवगणोपेतो गुरुमेतदुवाच ह ॥ 15.24 ॥

maghavāṁs tam abhipretya baleḥ paramam udyamam sarva-deva-gaṇopeto gurum etad uvāca ha

Perceiving this supreme effort of Bali's, Maghavan, together with the whole company of gods, went to his teacher and spoke to him as follows.

Verse 25 (bhagavata.8.15.25)

भगवन्नुद्यमो भूयान्बलेर्नः पूर्ववैरिणः । अविषह्यमिमं मन्ये केनासीत्तेजसोर्जितः ॥ 15.25 ॥

bhagavann udyamo bhūyān baler naḥ pūrva-vairiṇaḥ aviṣahyam imaṁ manye kenāsīt tejasorjitaḥ

O lord, our old enemy Bali's efforts have grown very great indeed. I judge this to have become unbearable — by whose power has he become so charged with strength?

Verse 26 (bhagavata.8.15.26)

नैनं कश्चित् कुतो वापि प्रतिव्योढुमधीश्वरः । पिबन्निव मुखेनेदं लिहन्निव दिशो दश । दहन्निव दिशो दृग्भिः संवर्ताग्निरिवोत्थितः ॥ 15.26 ॥

nainaṁ kaścit kuto vāpi prativyoḍhum adhīśvaraḥ pibann iva mukhenedaṁ lihann iva diśo daśa dahann iva diśo dṛgbhiḥ saṁvartāgnir ivotthitaḥ

No one anywhere is capable of standing against him. It seems as though he would drink up this entire world with his mouth, lick up the ten directions with his tongue, and burn every quarter with his very gaze — as if the fire of universal dissolution itself had risen up in his form.

Verse 27 (bhagavata.8.15.27)

ब्रूहि कारणमेतस्य दुर्धर्षत्वस्य मद्रिपोः । ओजः सहो बलं तेजो यत एतत्समुद्यमः ॥ 15.27 ॥

brūhi kāraṇam etasya durdharṣatvasya mad-ripoḥ ojaḥ saho balaṁ tejo yata etat samudyamaḥ

Please tell me the reason for this enemy of mine's invincibility — from what source has he gained this vigor, endurance, strength, splendor and drive?

Verse 28 (bhagavata.8.15.28)

श्रीगुरुरुवाच जानामि मघवञ्छत्रोरुन्नतेरस्य कारणम् । शिष्यायोपभृतं तेजो भृगुभिर्ब्रह्मवादिभिः ॥ 15.28 ॥

śrī-gurur uvāca jānāmi maghavañ chatror unnater asya kāraṇam śiṣyāyopabhṛtaṁ tejo bhṛgubhir brahma-vādibhiḥ

The teacher said: O Maghavan, I know the cause of this enemy's rise — the brahmana-knowing descendants of Bhrigu have infused their disciple with this very power.

Verse 29 (bhagavata.8.15.29)

ओजस्विनं बलिं जेतुं न समर्थोऽस्ति कश्चन । भवद्विधो भवान्वापि वर्जयित्वेश्वरं हरिम् ॥ 15.29 ॥

ojasvinaṁ baliṁ jetuṁ na samartho ’sti kaścana bhavad-vidho bhavān vāpi varjayitveśvaraṁ harim

Now no one is capable of conquering the mighty Bali — neither any other like you, nor you yourself — save Lord Hari alone.

Verse 30 (bhagavata.8.15.30)

विजेष्यति न कोऽप्येनं ब्रह्मतेजःसमेधितम् । नास्य शक्तः पुरः स्थातुं कृतान्तस्य यथा जनाः ॥ 15.30 ॥

vijeṣyati na ko ’py enaṁ brahma-tejaḥ-samedhitam nāsya śaktaḥ puraḥ sthātuṁ kṛtāntasya yathā janāḥ

No one will be able to defeat him now, empowered as he is with the potency of the brahmanas; just as no living being can stand before death, none can stand before him.

Verse 31 (bhagavata.8.15.31)

तस्मान्निलयमुत्सृज्य यूयं सर्वे त्रिविष्टपम् । यात कालं प्रतीक्षन्तो यतः शत्रोर्विपर्ययः ॥ 15.31 ॥

tasmān nilayam utsṛjya yūyaṁ sarve tri-viṣṭapam yāta kālaṁ pratīkṣanto yataḥ śatror viparyayaḥ

Therefore all of you should abandon this abode of heaven and go elsewhere, waiting for that time when your enemy's fortunes will turn.

Verse 32 (bhagavata.8.15.32)

एष विप्रबलोदर्कः सम्प्रत्यूर्जितविक्रमः । तेषामेवापमानेन सानुबन्धो विनङ्क्ष्यति ॥ 15.32 ॥

eṣa vipra-balodarkaḥ sampraty ūrjita-vikramaḥ teṣām evāpamānena sānubandho vinaṅkṣyati

This Bali, whose might now flourishes as the fruit of brahminical power, will in time, through the very offense he gives those brahmanas, meet his ruin, along with all his kin.

Verse 33 (bhagavata.8.15.33)

एवं सुमन्त्रितार्थास्ते गुरुणार्थानुदर्शिना । हित्वा त्रिविष्टपं जग्मुर्गीर्वाणाः कामरूपिणः ॥ 15.33 ॥

evaṁ sumantritārthās te guruṇārthānudarśinā hitvā tri-viṣṭapaṁ jagmur gīrvāṇāḥ kāma-rūpiṇaḥ

Thus counseled by their teacher, who saw only their true benefit, the demigods, capable of assuming any form at will, left the heavenly kingdom.

Verse 34 (bhagavata.8.15.34)

देवेष्वथ निलीनेषु बलिर्वैरोचनः पुरीम् । देवधानीमधिष्ठाय वशं निन्ये जगत्त्रयम् ॥ 15.34 ॥

deveṣv atha nilīneṣu balir vairocanaḥ purīm deva-dhānīm adhiṣṭhāya vaśaṁ ninye jagat-trayam

When the demigods had thus vanished from sight, Bali, son of Virochana, took possession of that city of the gods and brought all three worlds under his sway.

Verse 35 (bhagavata.8.15.35)

तं विश्वजयिनं शिष्यं भृगवः शिष्यवत्सलाः । शतेन हयमेधानामनुव्रतमयाजयन् ॥ 15.35 ॥

taṁ viśva-jayinaṁ śiṣyaṁ bhṛgavaḥ śiṣya-vatsalāḥ śatena hayamedhānām anuvratam ayājayan

The Bhrigus, ever fond of their disciple, had that conqueror of the whole world perform, in keeping with his own devotion, a hundred horse-sacrifices.

Verse 36 (bhagavata.8.15.36)

ततस्तदनुभावेन भुवनत्रयविश्रुताम् । कीर्तिं दिक्षु वितन्वानः स रेज उडुराडिव ॥ 15.36 ॥

tatas tad-anubhāvena bhuvana-traya-viśrutām kīrtiṁ dikṣu-vitanvānaḥ sa reja uḍurāḍ iva

Through the power of those sacrifices, spreading his fame, known throughout the three worlds, in every direction, he shone forth like the moon among the stars.

Verse 37 (bhagavata.8.15.37)

बुभुजे च श्रियं स्वृद्धां द्विजदेवोपलम्भिताम् । कृतकृत्यमिवात्मानं मन्यमानो महामनाः ॥ 15.37 ॥

bubhuje ca śriyaṁ svṛddhāṁ dvija-devopalambhitām kṛta-kṛtyam ivātmānaṁ manyamāno mahāmanāḥ

That noble-minded one, considering himself as good as having achieved life's every purpose, enjoyed the great prosperity he had won through the grace of those brahmana-gods.