Recollecting the words of virochana

Sri Vasista

1. O best of Raghus, moon of the dynasty, if not in the above manner, acquire the knowledge of Self by (instant) change of perception like Bali.

Sri Rama

2. -4 O Bhagawan, knower of all dharmas, my heart is at peace because of your grace. Attaining what is to be attained I am in repose in the Self - state. My mind is clear like autumn sky. O Lord, with all cravings pushed out, I am like one filled with nectar, with a cool self and great light shining in my heart. I am settled in my heart like full moon in the sky.

5. Even so I am not yet fully satisfied /satiated with your doubt - breaking words. You are like autumn sky for the clouds of doubts.

6. O Lord, for the sake of increasing and improving my knowledge please narrate for me the way Bali got his knowledge. Generous gurus do not displease a humble dsiciple.

Sri Vasista

7. O Raghava, listen to the great story of Bali. Hearing this you will be enlightened about Self for ever.

8. -16 There was a region called Patala on one side of this universe, below the earth. There lived many 'danava' women who were born from the ocean of milk. In another part of the region there were hydra headed serpents hissing loudly. In another were adepts in antidharmic activities. There were many high peaked mountains in the middle part. The lowers parts were occupied by foul-smelling lowly beings who scared people with their presence. There were seven distinct areas in that region. The great sage Kapila sanctified the place by his presence in that region in ancient times. That region was always ruled by some one who was a great devotee of Lord Shiva.

17. -24 . That Patala was once ruled by king Bali, son of Virochana. Uragas, Vidydharas, and even Indra were afraid of his valour and were eager to serve him. Lord Vishnu, who was the protector of all creation and Brahma and such propitiators of the world, was Bali's protector. Even the great elephant, Iravata (of Indra) trembled on hearing his name. The fire of his might was such that even the seven seas went dry by his very touch. The smoke that rose from his sacrificial fires was so huge that the consequent clouds enveloped and enclosed the whole world. His angry look was so sharp and powerful that it shattered mighty mountains. All the beings within the empire simply bowed on seeing him like a fruit- laden creeper. Such a mighty emperor was he that Indra, worshipped by people in all worlds (regions), was vanquished by him with little effort, like sport. Bali, the king or Danavas, ruled Patala for hundred million years.

25. -27 . After several aeons passed thus, having enjoyed in full all kinds of pleasures, Bali became tired of them and became detached. He then reflected thus sitting in his palace on the Meru mountain.

28. -38 . 'I am a person of great, invincible might. Even so how long should I rule over this empire and roam around these three words? What is the use of enjoying all the pleasures in my kingdom and performing great, wonderous deeds in the three worlds? All these pleasure are bristling with pleasure. But they are destined to subside. What does this happpiness mean to me? Every thing repeats - the same day, the same night, the same apprehension and comprehension, the same feeling, the same works. Shameful! This is not satisfying. The same embrace to the same woman, the same loveplay! All this is like a child playing. Shameful and disgraceful to any great and wise person! Why not wise people feel shame repeating such useless actions dayin and dayout. In the eyes of an intelligent man all this must be some kind of a mockery and vexations imitation. Waves rise and fall. The waters remain the same. This is the way of beings. What is the purpose of all this ceaseless and feverish activity? It is not ending the works. How long does this meaningless pomposity continue? When does this end?

39. -42 . In reality there is no substance in this child's play. (It looks as though people go on doing things repeatedly for the sake of calamities. I do not see any great, noble result coming out of all this activity. Is there no other non perishing, eternal fruit that is possible (from an activity)? I shall deeply reflect on this problem. Bali immediately concentrated his mind on that question. While he was contemplating bringing together his eyes, he suddenly excalimed ' I remember now. I am aware of the answer in my own Self'.

43. -44 . I asked long ago my father Virochana who was a great philosopher and was a knower of Truth. 'My father of great intelligence, what is the boundary of the world in which all pleasures and sorrows subside? Where will all illusions end?

45. 'Where will the preplexities of mind disappear? Where will one go beyound all desires? Where will one obtain uninterupted peace?

46. 'What is that when agined all are gained and man becomes satisfied? By seeing which all other visions will not be useful?

47. 'All these infinite pleasures do not yield any happiness. They confuse and cause anguish even to good people with their capacity for delusion.'

48. 'My dear father, please tell me of that which gives me eternal peace'.

49. 'My father heard all that I said. He was sitting under the 'kalpa' tree which was brought from Indras garden by force. I recollect all those enchanting sweet, nectar-like words now.