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and live peacefully beneath a tree. O Lord, please make me a servant of Your servant. I have no other desire.’ “‘Holding the lotus feet of Kåñëa and Balaräma within his heart, Bali Mahäräja offered prayers. He and his family members drank and touched their heads with the water that washed the lotus feet of the Lord and felt immensely fortunate. Such water purifies the abodes of Lord Brahmä and Lord Çiva, just as the Ganges purifies the entire three worlds. He also offered worship with sandalwood paste, flowers, ghee lamp, incense, cloth, and ornaments. Finally, he offered his respectful obeisances and continued: ‘O Lord, please instruct me if You really think me to be your servant. Anyone who follows Your instructions reaches beyond the jurisdiction of rules and regulations.’ “‘Lord Kåñëa, exceedingly pleased with Bali, began to explain the reason for His visit. ‘Listen, Bali Mahäräja,’ the Lord addressed him. “The sinful Kaàsa killed My mother’s six sons. Thus he also finally died. Remembering her sons, mother Devaké continually cries in lamentation. Those six sons are with you, and I want to take them back for the pleasure of My mother. Those six sons are actually perfected demigods, grandsons of Lord Brahmä. Let Me explain to you why they had to undergo such tribulations. These six sons were previously the sons of Prajäpati Maréci, a son of Brahmä. Once, Lord Brahmä was bewildered by lusty desires and shamelessly chased his own daughter. Seeing the behavior of Brahmä, the six sons of Maréci laughed at him. Because of this fault, they at once fell from their positions. Since they ridiculed the activities of an exalted person, they were forced to take birth among demons. Leaving their demigod bodies, they took birth in the family of Hiraëyakaçipu, who terrorized the entire universe. They suffered various miseries and were ultimately killed by the thunderbolt of Indra. By the arrangement of Yogamäyä, these six sons of Maréci took birth from the womb of Devaké. Simply by laughing at Brahmä’s misbehavior, they incurred so many sinful reactions. They thus had to undergo these punishments. From their birth, they suffered unlimited distress. Though they were nephews of Kaàsa, he killed them all. Devaké is unaware of these mysteries. She simply cries, considering them as her own sons. I wish to return
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