Passage 2

Bali proved himself far superior to Indhra

Bali was dedicated to rule his subjects by the observance of and strict adherence to the principles of dharma. He was the son of Virochana and the grandson of Prahladha. So it is not surprising that Bali possessed rich traditional qualities of bhakthi. Once after obtaining the permission of his Guru Shukracharya, Bali wanted to perform a great yaga (sacrifice) called Vishwajith. Vishwam means the totality of pancha bhuuthas (five elements), pancha indhriyas (five senses) and pancha koshas (five regions or sheaths) of the human body). It is the victory over such a vishwam which the word Vishwajith symbolizes. Indhra is so called because he is ruler of the indhriyas (senses), and the ruler of the indhriyas in man is the manas (mind). The nature of the interplay of indhriyas is such that it is possible to gain as well as to lose through it. Indhra wanted to rule Heaven, but Bali wanted nothing of the sort. Indhra used to propitiate and beg Vishnu in order to achieve what he desired, but Vishnu Himself descended in the form of Vamana to beg from Bali. Thus Bali proved himself to be far superior to Indhra.