A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.219

c5.219

BALI. A good and virtuous Daitya king. He was son of Virochana, son of Prahlāda, son of Hiranya-kasipu. His wife was Vindhyāvali. Through his devotion and penance he defeated Indra, humbled the gods, and extended his authority over the three worlds. The gods appealed to Vishnu for protection, and he became manifest in his Dwarf Avatāra for the purpose of restraining Bali. This dwarf craved from Bali the boon of three steps of ground, and, having obtained it, he stepped over heaven and earth in two strides; but then, out of respect to Bali’s kindness and his grandson Prahlāda’s virtues, he stopped short, and left to him Pātāla, the infernal regions. Bali is also called Mahā-bali, and his capital was Mahā-bali-pura. The germ of the legend of the three steps is found in the *Rig-veda*, where Vishnu is represented as taking three steps over earth, heaven, and the lower regions, typifying perhaps the rising, culmination, and setting of the sun.