Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c8.2407

c8.2407

8) Blessings of Śukra. Andhaka, son of Hiraṇyākṣa, ruled over the empire only for a short time. At that time there was a fight between the asuras and the devas in which the asuras were defeated. After a truce with the devas Bali, son of Virocana, and grandson of Prahlāda was crowned the emperor of the asuras. Prahlāda then went to the mountain Gandhamādana and started doing penance to increase his personal power. Bali ruled as an antagonist of the devas and so very soon a grisly battle ensued between the devas and the asuras and Mahāviṣṇu defeated them. They fled from their land and took refuge under their preceptor Śukrācārya. Śukra then told them thus : "You remain here without fear. I shall protect you by my power of mantra and medicines. I shall devote my cogent brilliance to your advantage. It is enough if you remain here with full confidence in me."