Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 8 Chapter 22:12-23

Book 8: Chapter 22

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 8: Chapter 22: Verses 12-23 A dialogue between king Bali and Lord Vamana Sri Suka continued: While he was thus speaking, Prahrada, the beloved of the Lord, appeared (there), O chief of the Kurus, as the moon above the horizon. Indrasena (Bali) observed Prahrada (his own grand-father)-tall and handsome, though dark as collyrium, clad in yellow, with eyes big as (a pair of) lotuses and pretty long arms, and shining brightly with (his native) glory. Bound with the cords of Varuna, Bali could not offer due worship to him as he used to do before. He (simply) bowed with his head (bent low), his eyes confounded with tears (brought by the thought of the insolent language used by him with reference to the Lord), and remained with his head hung down evidently with shame. Seeing the Lord (who is the Protector of the virtuous) sitting there and waited upon by His attendants, Sunanda, Nanda and others, the high-minded Prahrada was overwhelmed with tears and a thrill (of joy). He approached Him with head bent low and bowed with his head placed on the ground. Prahrada submitted: It was by You alone that this exalted position of Indra (the lord of paradise) was conferred (on him as a reward for the Viswajit sacrifice performed by him to propitiate You) and it has likewise been taken away by You today. (In other words You have only accepted what was Yours). I consider that alone (which You have been pleased to do) to be good (for him). Indeed a great favour has been done to him in that he has been deprived of (his) fortune, which is (so) instrumental in infatuating the soul. Who can truly perceive the essential nature of his self despite such wealth, under the influence of which even a learned and self-controlled man falls a prey to delusion. Hail to that Lord in You, the Lord who has His abode in water, the undisputed Ruler of the universe and the Witness of all the worlds. Sri Suka went on : Within the hearing, O king, of the aforesaid Prahrada, who stood with joined palms, the glorious Brahma (who had at the beginning of creation emerged from a golden egg) proceeded to speak to Lord Visnu (the Slayer of the demon Madhu). (But before he opened his lips) the virtuous wife of Bali (Vindhyavali by name), who was overwhelmed with fear to see her husband bound, submitted (as follows) to Lord Vamana (the youngest Brother of Indra), with joined palms and a drooping face, bending low in supplication. Vindhyavali prayed : This universe consisting of three spheres (heaven, earth and the intermediate region) has been created by You for the purpose of Your diversion. Over such a universe (which is Your plaything), however, others (like Bali) of perverse understanding, who have cast (all) shame to the winds and in whom the notion of their being free agents has been planted by You (through Your Maya), recognize their proprietorship (right to alienate it), O Lord ! (But, as a matter of fact, when there is nothing which they can rightfully call their own), what can they offer (as a gift) to You, the Creator, Preserver and Destroyer (of the universe)? Brahma submitted : O Creator of living beings, O Inner Controller (and Protector) of (those) created beings, 0 god (even) of gods, O Cosmic Being, (pray,) release this demon, who has been stripped of everything; (as such) he no longer deserves punishment (in the form of bondage). The entire globe has been gifted by him to You, as well as the worlds (heaven and the aerial region) that were acquired (by him) in virtue of his (meritorious) actions. (Further) all that he owned, nay, his (very) self (body) has been offered to You with an unflinching mind. Having given away with an unwincing mind (all) the three worlds to You-by pouring (mere) water at whose feet with a guileless intellect and offering harmless worship even with sprouts of panic grass one can attain even the highest goal (final beatitude or residence in Your divine realm)-how can he reap affliction?