Vamana Avatar Story

Lord Vishnu’s fifth avatar was taken in the form of a young Vamana (dwarf boy). This incarnation served the purpose of humbling King Bali, the grandson of devotee Prahlad, and teaching him a valuable lesson. Vishnu’s actions were so extraordinary that even the gods bowed to him in respect. When the demons were defeated in battles against the gods, the demon guru Shukracharya used his powers to revive them. However, after coming back to life, the demons began crossing all boundaries of cruelty. King Bali, having regained his life through Shukracharya’s blessings, devoted himself to the guru's service. Pleased with King Bali’s dedication, Shukracharya organized a grand Yagna. Meanwhile, Goddess Aditi, deeply saddened by the constant torment of the gods by the demons, expressed her sorrow to her husband, Sage Kashyap. She said, "O Lord, my sons wander helplessly, and witnessing their state breaks my heart." Kashyap advised her to surrender everything to Lord Narayana and worship him to resolve this misery. Following Kashyap’s advice, Aditi performed rigorous penance for Narayana, and the Lord, pleased with her devotion, took birth as her son. The four-armed incarnation emerging from Aditi’s womb filled her with bliss, and Narayana soon assumed the form of a young Vamana. Sage Kashyap, along with other sages, performed the sacred thread ceremony for the young Vamana. Afterward, Vamana sought permission from his father to attend King Bali’s grand Ashwamedha Yagna organized by Shukracharya. This was King Bali’s final Yagna. Upon Vamana’s arrival at the Yagna, King Bali welcomed him warmly and offered to grant him a gift. Vamana humbly requested three steps of land, equal to the size of his feet. Shukracharya warned King Bali that Vamana was indeed Vishnu, and granting his request would mean losing everything. Yet, King Bali chose to keep his word and agreed to the request. As soon as King Bali made his decision, Vamana expanded his form massively. With his first step, he claimed the heavens, and with his second step, he claimed the Earth. The force of Vamana’s steps caused the universe’s cover to tear slightly, and holy water emerged from that place, later becoming the sacred Ganga. When Vamana asked King Bali for a spot to place his third step, Bali offered his own head. Vishnu placed his foot on Bali’s head, tying him up with Garuda. Vishnu then told Bali, "You shall become Indra in the next Manvantara. Until then, reside in Sutala with your family and companions." King Bali accepted Vishnu’s command and moved to Sutala with Prahlad and others. Following this, Shukracharya completed the Yagna, and Brahma bestowed the title of Upendra upon Vamana, establishing him as the overseer of Indra in Amravati.