Bali At Rest

Sage Vasishtha

King Bali thereafter ruled the kingdom, doing everything spontaneously without premeditation. He worshiped the brahmanas, gods and the holy ones. He treated his relatives with deference. He rewarded his servants amply and gave in charity more than what they who sought it had expected. He fondly sported with the womenfolk. The wish to perform a sacred rite rose in his heart. Quickly he assembled the men and materials needed for it. He conducted the rite in the appropriate manner. It was during this rite that lord Vishnu, wishing to snatch the rulership of the three worlds from Bali and bestow it upon Indra, took the form of a dwarf and cheated Bali into giving away the rulership of the world to Vishnu in charity.

O Rama, this Bali will be the next Indra; hence he dwells in the netherworld as a liberated and enlightened sage, awaiting the time when he shall rule the heaven. He is totally unconcerned whether he is visited by prosperity or adversity. His consciousness does not experience elation or depression in happiness or unhappiness. He had ruled the three worlds for billions of years; but now his heart is at rest. Once again he will rule the three worlds as Indra for a very long time.

But he is not excited at the prospect of becoming Indra; nor was he depressed when he lost his position and was hurled into the netherworld. He welcomes whatever comes to him unsought and is at peace within himself.