Vaman Dwadashi Story

According to the Srimad Bhagavatam, the story of Lord Vishnu's Vamana avatar is as follows: When the gods began losing to the demons in battle and the demons attacked Amaravati, Indra, the king of the gods, sought Lord Vishnu's help. Vishnu promised to help and said he would be born as Vamana, the dwarf incarnation, through the womb of Aditi, the wife of Sage Kashyap, to destroy the demons. As promised, on the Dwadashi (twelfth day) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing moon phase) in the month of Bhadrapada, Lord Vishnu was born as Vamana.

The Story of Vamana Avatar and King Bali

An additional story relates to the sacred thread ceremony of Lord Vamana. During this ceremony, Sage Kashyap performed the rites, and various celestial beings presented offerings: Maharishi Pulaha gave the sacred thread, Marichi presented a Palash staff, Agastya offered deerskin, Surya gave an umbrella, Angiras provided clothes, Bhrigu gifted wooden sandals, Aditi gave a loincloth, Saraswati offered a Rudraksha mala, and Kubera gifted a donation bowl. After the ceremony, Lord Vamana, with his father's permission, approached King Bali, who was performing his final Ashwamedha Yagna on the northern bank of the Narmada River. Disguised as a Brahmin, Lord Vamana asked King Bali for three paces of land as alms. Without much thought, Bali agreed and vowed to fulfill the Brahmin's request. Lord Vamana then expanded his form and measured the heavens with one step, the earth with the second, leaving no space for the third step. Amazed but steadfast in his promise, Bali offered his head for the third step. Lord Vamana placed his foot on Bali’s head, sending him to the underworld (Patala). Impressed by Bali's devotion and commitment to his word, Lord Vamana granted him sovereignty over the underworld and restored the gods’ dominion over heaven. This story highlights Bali's humility and Lord Vishnu's role as a protector of balance in the universe.