The arrival of Vāmana into the sacrificial assembly brought great joy to demon-king Bali. Vāmana, who had totally renounced this world, was through His presence filling everyone with unexplainable bliss.

Demon-king Bali reverentially welcomed Vāmana, seated him properly and then washed his feet devotedly. The water with which Vāmana’s feet have been washed dispels the sins of the people. Bali who was adept in the rules of righteousness (dharma) sprinkled this pure water on his head. Previously Lord Śiva, who wears the crescent moon, had held the water which washed Srihari’s feet and which is known as Ganga, on his head.

Bali addressed the young celibate Vāmana and said,

“**Svāgataṁ te namas tubhyaṁ brahman kiṁ karavāma te brahmarṣīṇāṁ tapaḥ sākṣān manye tvārya vapur-dharam ** O young celibate (Brahmachari)! I welcome you heartily to this place. I offer obeisance to you. What is it that I can do for you? O venerable person! I firmly believe that the austerities of supreme Maharishis is standing before us in your form. By your arrival here today, all our fore-fathers have obtained contentment. Our lineage has been rendered pure. This Yagna of mine has attained accomplishment due to your arrival.

O young Brahmin! By sprinkling on my head, the water that has washed your feet, all my sins have been destroyed in entirety. This homa which is being conducted through the sacrificial fire has been rendered fruitful. Aha! By the touch of your tiny, tender feet, Mother Earth has been rendered totally pure.

O young celibate (Brahmachari)! I believe that you have come here seeking fulfilment of some desire. What is it that you desire? Please let me know. I shall fulfill your desire. You can happily take from me cows, gold, a home fully furnished with all comforts, sumptuous meal accompanied with tasty drink, flourishing villages, horses, elephants or any other object of your choice. If you desire I shall get you married to a suitable Brahmin girl”.

With this the eighteenth chapter of the eighth canto comes to an end.

Eighth Canto Chapter Nineteen

In this chapter, Vāmana seeking three feet of land from demon-king Bali is covered.

Maharishi Śuka said, “In this manner Bali, the son of Virocana, spoke lovingly, truthfully and righteously to Vāmana. The Supreme Lord who had incarnated as Vāmana was immensely pleased to hear Bali’s words. Applauding Bali, he said,

“O Emperor! The words uttered by you are loving, truthful and are strictly in tune with the rules of righteousness. They will bring you great renown. You are adept in matters pertaining to other worlds that are obtained after this life. This is because in addition to the descendants of Bhrigu who are your teachers, you are also guided by Prahlāda, your revered grandfather who is of peaceful nature. You are treading the path walked by them.

O king! In your lineage none has ever gone back on his promise. A miser who has never given in charity to Vedic Brahmin scholars has never been born in your lineage. At the time of giving charity and when the person actually seeks alms, the person giving donation should never turn his face away. Such a miser does not exist in your family. Until now, kings who turn their back to wars have never taken birth in your lineage.

Your grandfather Prahlāda, who is most exalted in your family, illumines like the pure Moon which is situated in the sky. Hiraṇyākṣa, your fore-father, took up the mace seeking to conquer all directions. When he was thus travelling seeking combat he failed to find anyone who could match him in war. Hiraṇyakṣa then spotted Lord Vishnu who was bringing up the earth that had sunk into the deep seas. With utmost difficulty Vishnu was able to conquer Hiraṇyaksha. However recollecting the unequalled might displayed by Hiranyākṣa, Vishnu did not consider himself as great. Such was the prowess of Hiranyākṣa.

Hiraṇyakaśipu, who heard of his brother Hiraṇyākṣa’s death, was uncontrollably enraged with Lord Maha-vishṇu. In great frenzy he reached Vaikunṭha, seeking to kill the person who had killed his brother.

Lord Vishnu is adept in the knowledge of completing tasks exactly at the stipulated time. He is the unsurpassed conjurer. Seeing Hiraṇyakaśipu holding the trident and rushing frenziedly to attack him, the Supreme Lord thought, “Just as the Lord of death eternally chases the living entity following him to every place he travels, this Hiraṇyakaśipu is not going to let me escape. He is bound to chase me everywhere.

However, being external-facing, Hiraṇyakaśipu sees only external objects. Therefore I shall sit in his heart then he cannot locate me. Srihari who was filled with fear, concluded thus and instantly in a subtle form he entered into Hiranyakaśipu through his nostrils. Through the medium of breath he reached the heart of Hiranyakaśipu and sat invisibly there. The invincible Hiraṇyakaśipu searched entire Vaikunṭha that was empty. When he could not locate Vishnu anywhere in uncontrollable fury he screamed violently. He then searched for Vishnu everywhere on earth, in outer space, in heavens, in all directions, in oceans and in all the lower planetary systems but in vain.

He then thought, “I have covered the entire creation but am unable to find this Vishnu who has killed my brother. Therefore he must have now reached those planes from where there is no return. He must be dead.”

Even enmity between self-respecting persons lasts only until their death. Anger stems from spiritual ignorance. Feelings of ‘I-ness’ towards the body causes anger to intensify. Prahlada’s son and your father Virocana hold Vedic Brahmins in high esteem. Disguising themselves as Vedic Brahmins, the Devatas approached Virocana and begged for his balance lifespan. Virocana was very well aware that the Devatas had approached him in the disguise of Brahmins. Nevertheless he gifted away his remaining lifespan entirely to them.

You have abided by all the dharmas that were followed by your fore-fathers who are reputed warriors and by the Vedic Brahmins who are householders. O demon-king, you are the best among those who engage in charities. Therefore from you I seek only three feet of land, measurable by my footsteps. Please grant me this land. There is nothing apart from that I seek”.

Vamanaya namah