We saw the life of Prahlaad. Now, let us see the majestic life of his grandson, Bali. Though he was a demon, but he rose as the best creation of Narayan, and gave off his life for Narayan.
Bali was a generous king, but he was lured by his asurguru, Shukraacharya, to perform a grand yajna, for he remains the king of the three worlds, forever. Though he was aware about the virtues, but a speck of greed rose in him. As the devas (demigods) became aware about the yajna, they ran to Vaikuntha and pleaded to Narayan, for help. But, Narayan was in Divine blankness, and kindly repudiated the appeal. They ran to Brahma Ji, but found a similar expression. Similar gestures were also portrayed by Mahadev. They prayed to all the three in an accord. On the request of Shiv Ji, Narayan took a form of a little brahmin boy, and landed on the earth. He gathered a umbrella and a kamandalu in his hand, and reached at the grand gate of Bali’s palace. The gate keepers were on the security duty, to avoid riots in the yajna. He asked the guards that he wished for the dakshina from the king. As the king had to fulfil the wish of all the seekers, for his yajna yields results. Bali reached at the gate, though he was aware that He was no other than Narayan, who had come to take his test. Shukraacharya tried to stop Bali, but in vain, as he was aware about Narayan‘s presence as a Brahmin. Vaman Narayan asked for a piece of land which measured three paces. Bali said that the little wish could have been fulfilled by his guards, but he agreed to give the land. Narayan used his siddhi and enlarged into a majestic form. The large form covered the skies and the mortal world, in His one stride. The other stride encompassed the underworld. And, the last stride was remaining and nothing remained to be given off. Bali asked Narayan to place His Divine feet on his head. Despite he knew that he could be crushed under the giant feet, but he surrendered himself totally. Narayan was pleased by the sacrifice. At that very moment, Bali was enlightened. He asked for the boon, Bali wished for. Bali said that he didn’t wish for anything, so Narayan asked him to return the heavens to the demigods, immortal world to the immortals and to rule the underworld. Then, Bali accepted the words of Narayan, but wished for something. He asked Narayan that He should be visible before him whenever he opened his eyes. Narayan had to accept the words. He became the guard in Bali’s palace, for He could be seen always from the throne.
Mother Lakshmi was in an awe seeing Her consort as a gatekeeper. It was Narayan’s wish to serve His devotee. She meditated for longer spans and found a solution to get Her consort. She took some pinches of sandalwood powder, kumkum, rice, a thread, a coconut, and a little lamp (diya), in a platter. She reached the underworld and met Bali. She told him that she wished to make him Her brother, had come to tie the rakhi (thread). Bali rejoiced seeing Mother as his sister, and Narayan before him always. After the aarti and other rituals, She asked Bali to give Her something in return. Bali asked Her to take anything She wished. She asked for Her consort. With a humble heart, Bali returned Narayan to Mother. Before She was leaving, She thought that Her act was bit unrighteous. So, She blessed him with the quality of immortality. Thus, the list of seven immortal beings also comprises Bali.
From that day, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in India, as to revere Bali and Mother. Balipratipada and Onam are few festivals celebrated in south India, when King Bali is revered. We might be knowing Onam as a festival of harvest, but it does not indicate the roots. The festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated with a pomp and show, in this era. It should be a festival to forgive and forget all the deeds of others and those of ourselves, and start a new life. Tying rakhi to the worldly brother cannot protect us, only Lord can protect us. We should perform the mental rituals with him, rather than spending handsome amounts for purchasing gold plated rakhis.
Even a speck of greed can throw us in the girth of hell. Though Bali was totally obedient towards the words of asurguru, but he neglected the words when he was about to meet Narayan. So, the words of a Satguru shouldn’t be neglected. The Saroj Ruj of Guru’s feet can make us earn bounties, but if we experience the shelter of His feet, we will be redeemed. Similarly, Bali was redeemed when he surrendered himself before Narayan. Though Mother took Narayan (saguna saakaar) away from his eyes, but he fostered well under the shelter of the Formless (nirguna niraakaar). If the devotee (bhakt) is truely surrendered to the puppeteer (bhagwaan), Bhagwaan is ready to serve the bhakt, even becomes a servant, in true love (bhakti). This is possible through shravanam bhajanam kirtanam … .
To know about Prahlaad, we should refer the underlying link-
