The Powerful Minister

Sage Vasishtha

The demon-king Bali asked his father Virocana:

Father, what is the destination of this world-appearance or repetitive existence? When will it come to an end? When will the delusion of the mind cease? Gaining what shall one attain total satisfaction, seeing what shall one seek naught else? I see that it is impossible to attain this by means of experience of the worldly pleasures or actions. For, they only aggravate delusion! Pray, tell me the means by which I shall rest for ever in supreme peace.

Virocana said:

My son, there is a vast realm, wide enough to engulf the three worlds. In it there are no lakes, no oceans, no mountains, no forests, no rivers, no earth, no sky, no winds, no moon, no gods, no demons, no demi-gods, no vegetation, no heaven, no high and low, no words; not me, nor the gods like Vishnu. Only one is there and that is the Supreme Light. He is omnipotent, omnipresent, he is all - and he remains silent, as if inactive. Prompted by him, the king, his minister does everything - what has not been he brings about and what is, he alters. This minister is incapable of enjoying anything, nor does he know anything: though ignorant and insentient he does everything for the sake of his master, the king. The king remains alone, established in peace.

Bali asked:

Father, what is that realm which is free from psychosomatic illnesses? Who is that minister and who is that king? The story is wonderful and unheard of. Kindly explain all this to me in detail.

Virocana replied:

All the gods and demons put together and even a force many times their strength cannot even challenge the minister. He is not Indra, the king of the gods, nor the god of death, nor the god of wealth, not a god nor a demon whom you can easily conquer. Though it is believed that the god Vishnu killed the demons, it was indeed this minister who destroyed them. In fact, even the gods like Vishnu were overpowered by him and made to take birth here. Cupid derives his power from this minister. Anger derives its power from him, too. It is because of his wish that there is unceasing conflict between good and evil here. 

This minister can only be defeated by his own master, the king; by no one else. When in due course of time there arises such a wish in the heart of the king, this minister can be easily defeated. He is the most powerful in all the three worlds; and the three worlds are but his exhalation! If you have the ability to conquer him, then, you are a hero.

(To be contd.)