Introduction to Aadh Guru Granth Bhagat Mala
These short stories have been taken from Aadh Guru Granth Bhagat Mala and translated into English. The purpose of translating these stories is to provide understanding and emphasise its significance when reciting Gurbaani and Bhai Gurdas Ji Vaaran.
The Sikh Gurus, Bhagats and Bhatt (bards) within Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji have made references to various great saints and disciples who existed at the time of the Hindu deities in different Yugas. These narratives are presented not to venerate Hindu deities; rather, they serve solely as references to illustrate the value of faith and understanding the importance of meditating upon the Lord’s Name.
The stories provide examples from the lives of many revered saints, aristocrats and common people serving as parallels for understanding the power and immense greatness of the One Lord, Vaheguru. They highlight the importance of living by faith and Dharma, and how meditation upon the Primal Lord leads to liberation from sin and misfortune.
The Story of Raja Bali
In the Golden Age of Sat Yuga, You were pleased to deceive Baal the king, in the form of a dwarf.(Bhatt Kal; GGSJ: Ang 1390)
In the Golden Age of Satyug, a great king was born. His name was Raja Bali (also known as Mahabali). He was the grandson of the well renowned saint, Bhagat Prahlad. Raja Bali was the king of the Asurs (demons) and a disciple of Sukhracharya.
Raja Bali is famously known for fighting against the deities, particularly Indar, to secure their realms and kingdoms. He conquered the heaven and underworld, thus bringing the entire world under his rule. In order to maintain his control of the three worlds, he was advised by his guru to undertake an intense yagna (a ritual rite with a specific objective).
Having been banished from heaven and the underworld, Indar and many of the deities approached Vishnu. They begged Vishnu to help them and to restore the underworld and heaven back to them. Vishnu agreed to help them.
Vishnu incarnated himself into his fifth Avtar, as Vaman, a dwarf or a short statured Brahmin boy. During Raja Bali’s yagna, Vishnu appeared before him reciting the Vedas. Upon seeing this, Raja Bali was pleased. Looking at the small Brahmin boy, Raja Bali said to him, “Dear child, you have recited the Vedas so beautifully. Speak; what do you wish for? Whatever you wish for, I will grant this to you.”
Vaman smiled, “O great King Bali, please grant me some of your land.”
“I am happy to give you a piece of my land. You can take as much land as you can cover with just 3 steps. If you do this, you can take that piece of land,” said the Raja.
Sukhracharya warned Raja Bali that this was a bad idea, and he was being deceived by the Undeceivable Lord. The Asurs pleaded with the Raja to retract this boon, but Raja Bali ignored the pleas and granted the boon to Vaman.
Vaman expanded his body and grew to an immense size. Raja Bali was left astonished by the size of this Brahmin boy. With his first step, Vaman covered the entire earth. The second step, he covered the entire heaven. As Vaman was about to take his third step, Raja Bali could see that there was not enough room for Vaman to step. Raja Bali offered his back to make up a full third step.
Once again, the Asurs tried to discourage the Raja from doing this, but with utmost humility, the Raja said, “All this land belongs to the Lord. If the Lord wishes to take this land back, then what right do I have to stop Him?”
Vaman stepped on the Raja’s head and drowned him to the netherworld. Seeing his devotion, Vishnu returned to his godly form and blessed Raja Bali.
Raja Bali fell at the feet of Vishnu. “O Hari Narayan, having taken what belongs to you; please bless me with the opportunity to visit my people to ensure they are happy.”
Vishnu blessed Raja Bali and declared him “Mahabali” and as the next Avtar of Indar in the next age to come.
Below is the story of Raja Bali as written by Bhai Gurdas Ji. Vaar 10, Pauri 3:
ਬਲਿ ਰਾਜਾ ਘਰਿ ਆਪਣੈ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਬੈਠਾ ਜਗੁ ਕਰਾਵੈ।
Bali, the king, was busy in performing a yajna in his palace.
ਬਾਵਨ ਰੂਪੀ ਆਇਆ ਚਾਰਿ ਵੇਦ ਮੁਖਿ ਪਾਠ ਸੁਣਾਵੈ।
A low stature dwarf in the form of Brahmin came there reciting all the four Vedas.
ਰਾਜੇ ਅੰਦਰਿ ਸਦਿਆ ਮੰਗ ਸੁਆਮੀ ਜੋ ਤੁਧੁ ਭਾਵੈ।
The king after calling him in asked him to demand anything he liked.
ਅਛਲੁ ਛਲਣਿ ਤੁਧੁ ਆਇਆ ਸੁਕ੍ਰ ਪੁਰੋਹਿਤੁ ਕਹਿ ਸਮਝਾਵੈ।
Immediately priest Sukracharya made the king (Bali) understand that he (the beggar) is undeceivable God and He had come to delude him.
ਕਰਉ ਅਢਾਈ ਧਰਤਿ ਮੰਗਿ ਪਿਛਹੁ ਦੇ ਤ੍ਰਿਹੁ ਲੋਅ ਨ ਮਾਵੈ।
The dwarf demanded two and half steps length of earth (which was granted by the king).
ਦੁਇ ਕਰਵਾਂ ਕਰਿ ਤਿੰਨ ਲੋਅ ਬਲਿ ਰਾਜਾ ਲੈ ਮਗਰੁ ਮਿਣਾਵੈ।
Then the dwarf expanded his body so much that now the three worlds were insufficient for him.
ਬਲਿ ਛਲਿ ਆਪੁ ਛਲਾਇਅਨੁ ਹੋਇ ਦਇਆਲੁ ਮਿਲੈ ਗਲਿ ਲਾਵੈ।
Even knowing this deception Bali allowed himself to be deceived so, and seeing this Vishnu embraced him.
ਦਿਤਾ ਰਾਜੁ ਪਤਾਲ ਦਾ ਹੋਇ ਅਧੀਨੁ ਭਗਤਿ ਜਸੁ ਗਾਵੈ।
When he covered the three worlds in two steps, for third half-step king Bali offered his own back.
ਹੋਇ ਦਰਵਾਨ ਮਹਾਂ ਸੁਖੁ ਪਾਵੈ ॥੩॥
Bali was given the kingdom of the netherworld, where surrendering to God, he engaged himself in the loving devotion of the Lord. Vishnu was delighted to be the doorkeeper of Bali.
Authors who mention Raja Bali in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji:
Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Ang 1344
Bhatt Kal, Ang 1390
Bhatt Gayandh, Ang 1402, 1403
