PLATE FIVE

After the associates of Lord Vamanadeva had defeated all the demons
and driven them into the lower regions of the universe, Garuda arrested
Bali Maharaja with the snake-ropes of Varuna and brought him before
the Lord. “O King of the demons,” said Vamana, “‘you have promised to
give Me three steps of land, but I have occupied the entire universe with
two steps. Now think about where I should put My third.” Bali Maharaja
replied, “‘O best Personality of Godhead, if You think that my promise
has become false, I shall certainly rectify matters to make it truthful.
Please, therefore, place Your third lotus footstep on my head.” Just then
Prahlada Maharaja, the grandfather of Bali, appeared in the assembly,
like the moon rising in the nighttime. His dark body resembled black
ointment for the eyes. His tall, elegant figure was dressed in yellow gar-
ments, he had long arms, and his beautiful eyes were like the petals of a
lotus. He was very dear and pleasing to everyone. Being bound by the
snake-ropes of Varuna, Bali Maharaja could not offer befitting respect to
Prahlada Maharaja. Rather, he simply offered respectful obeisances with
his head, his eyes being inundated with tears and his face lowered in
shame. (pp. 147-170)
