Bali's Fightback

Chapter 15

While detailing the Manus, Sukadeva Goswami briefly mentioned the incident of Bali Maharaja and Vamanadeva in the Vaivasvata Manu. Maharaja Pariksit requested to know more about this.

After being crushed by the demigods, Bali Maharaja and the demons were mystically revived back to good health by the grace of Sukracarya, their guru. The brahmana friends of Bali Maharaja then engaged him in a sacrifice to gain cosmic control (visvajit-yajna), and as a result he received celestial equipment and formidable boons to multiply his power.

With renewed vigour and enthusiasm, Bali Maharaja laid siege on Indra’s beautiful city. Brhaspati, the guru of the demigods, informed them that they stood no chance unless the Lord personally appeared. The demigods thus fled in fear as the demons took control of the heavenly realm. Determined as ever, Bali continued to perform sacrifices to strengthen his position and increase his influence.