The Story of Bali
Bali, the demon king, son of Virochana, taught earlier by his father and later guided in the assembly by his guru Shukra (Bhargava); narrated by Vasishtha to Rama.
Vasishtha tells Rama the story of Bali to illustrate discrimination through knowledge. Bali, son of Virochana, ruled the three worlds as king of the demons for ages, effortlessly conquering all realms. One day, surveying his wealth from his palace on Mount Meru, he grew disgusted with the endless repetition of daily pleasures, finding no lasting purpose in them.
He recalled a question he had once put to his father Virochana about a place beyond sorrow and delusion, and his father's reply describing a silent king (the Self) served by a tireless minister (the mind) who acts without desire. Bali resolves to conquer this 'minister' by conquering himself. He sits in meditation and reasons his way to the truth that everything, himself included, is pure consciousness, so there is no real distinction of friend, enemy, or self to defend.
He falls silent and motionless for a thousand years. His demon followers and his guru Shukra arrive, find him absorbed, and leave him undisturbed, predicting he will awaken enlightened. He wakes, resumes his royal duties from a settled inner state, performs a great sacrifice, and is eventually deceived and bound in the netherworld by Vishnu (as Vamana) for Indra's sake, remaining equanimous throughout.
Vasishtha closes by urging Rama to gain the same discernment.
तस्मिन्नसुरदोस्तम्भधार्यमाणमहाभरे । बभूव दानवो राजा विरोचनसुतो बलिः ॥ १७ ॥
There, in that world upheld by the pillar-like arms of the demons, lived the demon king Bali, son of Virochana.
वहाँ, उस लोक में जो असुरों की खंभे जैसी भुजाओं पर टिका हुआ है, दानवों का राजा बलि रहता था, जो विरोचन का पुत्र था।
भोगादृते किमन्यत्स्यात्तद्भव्यमविनाशि यत्। एवं संचिन्तयाम्याशु दध्यौ मत्वेत्यसौ बलिः ॥ ४१ ॥
Apart from pleasure, what else is there that could be truly good and never perishing? So Bali thought to himself, and no sooner had he thought this than he sank into deep reflection.
सुख के अलावा और क्या ऐसा है जो सचमुच अच्छा हो और कभी खत्म न हो? बलि ने मन ही मन यही सोचा, और सोचते ही वह गहरी सोच में डूब गया।
बलिनाम्नः शरीरस्य च्छिन्ने शिरसि भासुरे । चितः किं तद्भवेच्छिन्नं सर्वलोकावपूरणात् ॥ १४ ॥
If the shining head of this body named Bali were cut off, would consciousness itself be cut—when it fills every world completely?
अगर बलि नाम के इस शरीर का चमकता सिर भी काट दिया जाए, तो क्या चेतना कट जाएगी—जबकि वह तो समूचे संसार में भरी हुई है?
कुरुध्वं स्वामिकार्याणि सर्वे दानवनायकाः । बलिर्वर्षसहस्रेण समाधेर्बोधमेष्यति ॥ १९ ॥
All you leaders of the demons, carry out your master's work. Bali will wake up from his samadhi after a thousand years.
हे दानवों के सभी मुखियो, अपने स्वामी का काम करते रहो। बलि हज़ार साल बाद अपनी समाधि से जाग उठेंगे।
क्रममाणो बलेनात्र वञ्चयित्वा बलिं हरिः । बबन्ध पातालतले भूगेह इह वानरम् ॥ २८ ॥
Advancing there with his mighty stride, Vishnu deceived Bali and bound him in the netherworld, in a dwelling within the earth.
अपने बड़े-बड़े कदमों से आगे बढ़ते हुए, विष्णु ने बलि को छल से हरा दिया और उसे पाताल में, धरती के भीतर एक घर में बाँध दिया।
Read it in full
The story runs through chapters 22–29 of Book 5. Each chapter has the Sanskrit in Devanagari and IAST beside a plain English and Hindi translation of every verse. The number under each chapter is its verse count.