The great Prahlad brought a sense of morality and showed Daityas how to be kind. His son was a good king but his grandson Bali got all his best qualities. Bali was a great king and his people loved him. He was devoted to his Guru Shukracharya and followed all his advice and commands. The only being he loved more was Lord Vishnu. Bali loved the Lord completely and dreamt of meeting him someday. Guru Shukracharya like Diti hated the Devatas. They were never satisfied with what the Daityas had. They always wanted Daityas to have whatever Devatas got. Shukracharya was proud of King Bali because he was the best person to defeat the Devatas. Daityas had tried violence before but Lord Vishnu always saved the Devatas. This time, Shukracharya tried a different plan.
Bali was religious and good. Under the guidance of his Guru he performed many yajnas (fire sacrifices). These yajnas made him as powerful as Indra. Also, Bali meditated on Lord Brahma for many years giving up food, water, sleep and rest. One day Lord Brahma came to him and said “Rise Bali, I am pleased. Ask for a boon.” Bali did not ask for immortality like other Daityas. He did not try to find a loophole in nature’s laws like Hiranyakashyap. He bowed in Lord Brahma’s feet and said “Lord give me the powers same as Indra and let no one defeat me in a battle.” Brahma Ji smiled and replied “So Be It” and disappeared.
Bali went home and informed his Guru of his success. Together they formed a plan and attacked Heaven. Brihaspati, guru of Devatas asked the Devatas to surrender. He knew no one could defeat Bali in battle because of Lord Brahma’s boon. In this way Bali sat on Heaven’s throne and became Indra. Indra is not a person’s name, but the name of a position like The President or Prime Minister. Many Daityas had won heaven and declared themselves Indra but Bali was different. He was a good king loved by all. He was kind and he kept his power by performing yajnas (fire sacrifices) as any Indra should. All three worlds (Heaven, Earth and Netherworld) were now ruled by the Daitya king Bali. This time it was Aditi’s (mother of all Devatas) turn to be upset. She knew her children were sad and wanted them to have their share. She spoke with Rishi Kashyap about her desire. He explained to her that Bali was a good ruler who had performed penance and yajnas to become Indra. He deserved to be Indra. Aditi was not satisfied with this answer. Kashyap Rishi then spoke with her about detachment. He scolded her for being so attached to her children. After a long conversation he realized that her attachment to her children was too strong. He said “Aditi, Mother of Devatas, My Beloved, we have discussed developing detachment. We have discussed surrendering to the Lord. Yet, if you wish to help your children then do the Payo Vrat to seek Lord Vishnu’s blessings”. Mother Aditi drank only milk for 12 days and worshipped the Lord in the way Rishi Kashyap explained. At the end of 12 days Lord appeared before her and asked “Tell me Aditi, what do you desire?” Aditi bowed in the Lord’s feet and asked him to restate her sons in heaven and destroy Bali. Lord smiled and said “Bali is my devotee and a righteous person. There is no reason for me to fight him. But, I will return heaven to your sons for now.” Meanwhile, Bali under the guidance of Guru Shukracharya was conducting 100 Ashwamegh Yajna. Only a King who is not challenged by anyone can do the Ashwamegh Yajna. At the end of 100 Ashwamegh yajna he would gain enough power to stay Indra forever. It would be the ultimate revenge for Diti and Shukracharya on the Devatas. Shukracharya was very proud of his disciple Bali. Bali’s love for Lord Vishnu, love for his guru and commitment to his people had raised the entire Daitya race. He was also worried. He knew that Devatas would go crying to Lord Vishnu for help. He kept his concern to himself because he knew Bali would give away anything in name of the Lord. He was a true Vishnu devotee. Shukracharya’s concern was justified. On last day of the 100th Ashwamegh Yajna he noticed a Vaman – small Brahman boy coming to the Yajna premises. The boy was dark and small but seemed to give off light. Shukracharya knew it was Lord Vishnu. The yajna itself was complete. Only thing that remained was the Brahman Dakshina (giving gifts to Brahmins / priests). Shukracharya’s forehead covered with sweat. He looked at his King. Bali had noticed the Vamana and was looking at him with love. He began walking towards the Vamana but Shukracharya stopped him. He said “Bali stop! That Vamana is no ordinary boy. Indra has sent him to stop you. It’s Vishnu himself. He is always partial to the Devatas.” Bali turned to look at the Vamana again with surprise in his eyes. Lord Vishnu himself had come to him! He was coming to ask for something? He could not believe his good fortune. Shukracharya asked him to ignore the Vamana. Bali refused. By now Vamana stood in front of them and said “O King Bali, I have heard that you have conducted 100 Ashwamegha yajna. Today is the last day and you will grant gifts to Brahmins like me?” Bali lovingly replied, “Yes dear Vamana. Tell me what do you wish for?” Vamana said “I want land that I can measure in three steps.” Bali laughed. “Vamana you stand in front of great king Bali who is also Indra. Ask for more child! You have little feet. They will not cover any land. Come now, ask for more. Vamana smiled, shook his head and gave King Bali a beautiful speech on how to be happy with less. He then asked again “King Bali do you promise to give me my 3 steps of land?” In response he poured water in a conch shell and tilted it to let water flow while he spoke a promise to the Vamana. Shukracharya had not given up trying to help Bali. He turned himself into a bumble bee and sat in the hole of the conch shell so water could not flow. Bali not knowing that; took a twig and poked it in the hole to clear it and blinded one eye of the bee. Since then, Shukracharya has one eye. Water flowed from conch shell as Bali promised to give Vamana 3 steps of land. As soon as water touched the ground Vamana started to grow. Soon his head went through the heavens. In one step he covered the heavens. In second step he covered the Earth and Netherlands. He raised his foot again and then his booming voice was heard. “Bali, you promised me 3 steps of land. I have covered everything you rule in 2 steps. Where should I place my third step? Bali cried tears of happiness, bent his head low and said, “Lord, place your foot on my head and own me.” The Lord was pleased by his answer and said “Bali, I want you to rule the Netherland. Now ask for a boon. I am happy with your love for me.” Bali smiled looking up at his Lord and said “Lord grant me 3 wishes-
I want you to come with me and guard my kingdom.
I want to be able to see you always.
Last, allow me to come back on Earth to meet the people of my kingdom who have loved me so much.”
Lord’s smile shone with love and pride for his devotee. He granted Bali his wish and also declared that he would be the next Indra. Devatas returned to Heaven. Bali created his kingdom in the Netherland and Lord Vishnu stood at his gate guarding it. Goddess Lakshmi missed her husband. She approached Bali as a simple lady and said “O King Bali, my husband has gone away to work and I am alone. Will you give me your protection?” Bali could sense she was no ordinary woman. He said “You will be like my sister. Please come and live in my palace till your husband comes back.” Time went by and one day Bali saw her praying to Lord Vishnu. He asked what she prayed for and she replied “I pray for your welfare my brother.” Bali was moved by her love. He wanted to do something for her and said “Ask me for something sister.” This was the moment Goddess had been waiting for. She said “Give me my husband back brother.” A confused Bali exclaimed, “Your husband! Does he work here?” She pointed to Vishnu and said “Yes, that is my husband.” Bali was shocked to realize that she was Goddess Lakshmi. He thanked her for living in his palace as his sister. With pleasure he fulfilled his promise to her. The Lord left his Sudarshan Chakra to guard Bali’s kingdom and left with Lakshmi. It is in memory of Bali and Lakshmi that we celebrate Rakhi.