Vamana
Vamana, also known as Vāmanadeva, Trivikrama, Urukrama, Upendra, Dadhivamana, and Balibandhana is a Brahmin avatar of the supreme almighty god Vishnu.
Originating in the Vedas, Vamana is most commonly associated in the Itihāsa and Puranas with the legend of taking back the three worlds from the Asura-king Bali in three steps to give back to Indra. Vamana is listed as the fifth incarnation of the Dashavatara, the ten principal avatars of Vishnu.
Nomenclature and Etymology
| Name | Sanskrit | Meaning / Description |
| बलिबन्धन | 'binder or killer of Bali'; stated in the Garuda Purana to mean 'who fettered the demon Bali'. | |
| दधिवामन | 'bestowing', 'giving', 'curd' / 'curdled milk', and 'resin of Shala tree'. | |
| त्रिविक्रम | 'three steps' or 'three strides'. This epithet refers to the three steps or strides of Vishnu in the RigVeda. | |
| उरुक्रम | 'far stepping' or 'wide stride', presumably in relation to covering all existence with the second step. | |
| उपेन्द्र | 'younger brother of Indra' or simply 'a son'. This epithet refers to the birth of the Dwarf Avatar as one of the 12 Adityas - sons - of Aditi and the sage Kashyapa. | |
| वामनदेव | 'dwarf-god'. |
Bali
Bali is also stated to have had 100 sons as well as a daughter called Ratnamala. Ratnamala is particularly notable, as after seeing Vamana at her father's yajna, she desired to have a son just like Him to feed from her own breasts. This desire was granted by Krishna, hence incarnating at the demoness Putana, who attempted to kill baby Krishna by breastfeeding Him poison.
A.B. Keith and A.A. Macdonell state that the word
As evidenced below, the word 'Bali' is often used in the Puranas to refer to sacrificial offerings of food. According to the Monier-Williams Sanskrit Dictionary, Bali also means 'powerful, strong, mighty, stout, robust'.
Summary
As shown below, the basic premise is that after the Aditya called Indra is defeated by the Daitya called Bali, the gods ultimately seek refuge in Vishnu, who agrees restore Indra to power. To do so, Vishnu incarnates as the Aditya dwarf-Brahmin, Vamana. Noble-souled, Bali conducts sacrifices, one of which is attended by Vamana, who requests only three steps of land. Bali agrees despite being warned about Vamana's true nature and purpose as Vishnu, whereby Vamana extends in size and in three strides encompasses all existence and beyond. The three worlds are restored to Indra, and Bali and the Asuras are banished to the netherworlds.J. Roy states that the 'Dwarf or Vamana incarnation of Vishnu is purely an allegory and seems to be a development of the idea of Visnu's three strides, alluded to repeatedly in the Rigveda. The legend is also found in an enlarged form in the Shatapatha Brahmana, which refers to the story of Visnu, the Dwarf growing so large as to encompass the whole earth for the gods. Though the episode of King Bali, associated with Vamana incarnation, makes him appear anthropomorphic; the allegorical character of his three steps is hardly concealed. His exploits do not uphold the idea of the key functions of an incarnation, which are protection of the righteous, destruction of the wicked, and establishment of dharma'.
A.A. Macdonell states that the 'reason why Visnu took his three steps is a secondary trait. He thrice traversed the earthly spaces for man in distress ; he traversed the earth to bestow it on man for a dwelling ; he traversed the earthly spaces for wide-stepping existence ; with Indra he took vast strides and stretched out the worlds for our existence. To this feature in the may ultimately be traced the myth of Visnu’s dwarf incarnation which appears in; the epics and Puranas. The intermediate stage is found in the Brahmanas, where Visnu already assumes the form of a dwarf, in order by sacrifice to recover the earth for the gods from the Asuras'.
Vishnu as a dwarf
D.A. Sofier states that although it is easy to establish the dwarf form of Vishnu originates in the Brahmanas, 'the reason for or meaning of the dwarf character is certainly more difficult to ascertain. The only "explanation" that the texts themselves offer, found in 3.354, is problematical ... Battacharji concludes from this that "Visnu's shortness is thus due to spiritual greatness", itself more problematic than the text'.Symbolism
Positions of the Sun: Roy states that 'Visnu's three strides alluded to in the Rigveda have been variously interpreted as meaning the three different positions of the sun at his rising, culmination, and setting. It is interesting to note in this connection the etymological explanation of the terms, Vamana and Visnu given in the puranas. Visnu is so-called from the verbal root vis. meaning 'to enter' or 'to pervade' because he, in his dwarf form, has pervaded or penetrated everything. A similar idea is also found in the Upanisad, where the soul is described as of the size of a thumb, always seated in everyone's heart'.Physical Reality: J. Muir relates the commentary of Sayana on the three steps of Vishnu mentioned in the White YajurVeda as 'Vishnu, becoming incarnate as Trivikrama, strode over, - i.e. stepped by separate strides over, - this whole . It is this that expresses , 'In three places he planted his step,' i.e. one step on the earth, a second in the atmosphere, and a third in the sky: in the successive forms of Agni, Vayu, and Surya'. The meaning implied seems to be related to the fact that Agni is present on the ground, Vayu is present in the atmosphere, and Surya is present in the sky or heavens; thus the three steps symbolise the three worlds or planes of physical reality, i.e. the ground, the air, and the sky.
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All-pervasiveness of Sacrifice: N. Aiyangar states that 'As Vishnu is the all-pervading invisible Deity of sacrifice, it is as it should be if he is symbolised by all the sacrificial implements and, above all, by light wherever seen, by the sacrificial fire Agni here, by the fire of lightening in the atmosphere, by all the luminaries in the sky, most markedly by the grandest of them, the sun. This is how Vishnu, seen as a little dwarf in the symbol of the sacrificial fire on earth, is the giant striding from there through all the regions of the universe'.
Three states of existence: S Chanda states that Mahabali symbolises samriddhi, the three feet symbolize the three states of existence – Jagrat, Swapna and sushupti and final step is on his head which elevates from these three states, unto moksha.
The Nirukta
Written by the grammarian Yaska, the Nirukta is one of the six Vedangas or 'limbs of the Vedas', concerned with correct etymology and interpretation of the Vedas. The entry for Vishnu states :This account essentially states that the three footsteps may symbolise the positions of the sun or physical existence conceptualised as 'three worlds'. In regards to the references to Sakapuni and Aurnavabha, K.S. Murty states that 'Yaska was not the first to interpret Vedic words as he did. He referred to a Nighantu with Samamnaya which he cited and explained. He had predecessors like Sakapuru, Audumbarayana, Aupamanyava and others'.
The Vedas
Rig Veda
Samhita
Roy states that the 'RigVedic passages referring to Visnu's three strides are obviously the nucleus, out of which the legend of the Dwarf was created. But the RigVeda, however, does not describe Visnu as dwarf or VamanaIn regards to the above-quoted verses, it is commonly accepted that there are seven continents or 'regions of the earth'. A. Glucklich adds that 'In the Matsya Purana, for instance, there is a seven-part map of the world... one centre, where an immense mountain - Mt. Meru - stands... The continents encircle the mountain in seven concentric circles... It seems clear that the Himalayas were the approximate location of Mt. Meru'.
In regards to the three steps of Vishnu, Glucklich points out that in some legends of Vamana and the Asura-king Bali, that 'the first covered the entire earth, the second covered the atmosphere, and the third measured heaven in its entirety'. M. Haug, in his translation of the Aitareya Brahmana of the RigVeda, clarifies that the 'three worlds' often means the ground, the air, and the sky. Three steps thus encompasses all of physical existence. D. Goodall also relates more a mystical interpretation of what 'three worlds' symbolises, as provided by the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad, including Mind, Speech, and Breath.
Notably, Muir also states that although '
Aitareya Brahmana
The concept of Vishnu obtaining the three worlds for the Devas from the Asuras in three steps is clearly explained in the Aitareya Brahmana. The RigVeda Samhita verse referred to regarding Indra and Vishnu battling the Asuras states 'Ye Twain have conquered, ne’er have ye been conquered: never hath either of the Twain been vanquished. Ye, Indra-Viṣṇu, when ye fought the battle, produced this infinite with three divisions'.The Maruts, referred to as 'the sons of Rudra' are frequently mentioned throughout the RigVeda, including in relation to the above quotation, producing rain. Indra is the god of rain and as stated in the Aitareya Brahmana, 'rain gives food'. This is elaborated upon in the Aitareya Aranyaka which states
Sama Veda
Samhita
The translator, R.T.H. Griffith, states in his introduction to the SamaVeda that it 'is made up of hymns, portions of hymns, and detached verses, taken mainly from the RgvedaPancavimsa Brahmana
The terms 'stoma' and 'saman' from the above-quoted Pancavimsa Brahmana refer to mantras and hymns, such from the SamaVeda.The Jaiminīya Brāhmaṇa has a similar verse which omits Visnu's strides but explains the Varavantiya saman as 'He who desired cattle should apply the Varavantiya Saman. Prajapati created the animals. Having been created they ran away from him. By means of the Varavantiya Saman he held them back. Because he held them back therefore the Varavantiya is called the Varavantiya. The application of the Varavantiya as the agnistoma Saman is made in order that the animals remain present and do not run away'.
In the Taittiriya Samhita 5.5.8 Varavantiya is also explained as 'Prajapati created Agni; he , created, went away from him; him he checked by the Varavantiya, and that is why the Varavantiya has its name. By the Çyaita he congealed him, and that is why the Çyaita has its name. In that he reverences, with the Varavantiya, he restrains him, and by the Çyaita he congeals him'.
The strides of Vishnu are thus referred to in regards to restraining animals from running away from sacrifices. This idea of being restrained by Vishnu Strides may be linked to Bali often being restrained or bound in the legend of Vamana.
Yajur Veda
White YajurVeda: Vajasaneyi Samhita
In regards to the above quotation, Aiyangar states that long hair indicates Munis, and shaven hair indicates 'an ascetic of the order of sannyasin'. Roy argues that in 'the Satarudriya hymn of the Yajurveda , Rudra is referred to as vamana. Rudra is said to preside over the asterism of Ardra and may, therefore, be understood to denote the star'.However, the terms 'thousand-eyed', 'mountain-haunter', and 'Sipivishta' given in the above-quote all also apply to Vishnu. In addition, the Shatapatha Brahmana, relates the legend of Vishnu as a Dwarf, not Rudra /Shiva. Regardless, in the Puranas there are legends of both Vishnu and Shiva incarnating as Brahmin-dwarfs, and the above-quoted hymn provides the essential ingredients: the Brahmin, the Dwarf, and the concept of growth.
White YajurVeda: Shatapatha Brahmana
Muir states about this legend in the Shatapatha Brahmana that 'Vishnu is represented as a dwarf, and has having, under the form of sacrifice, conquered the whole earth... contains the germ of the story of the Dwarf incarnation'. This legend is given in relation to the Darsapûrnamâseshtî, or 'New and Full-moon Sacrifices'. The translator, Eggeling, states that the above-quoted legend 'represents the Purva-Parigraha, or first enclosing of the altar by a single line being drawn with the wooden sword on each of the three sides'. He also supposes that the size of Vishnu may represent 'the sun-light, which, on shrinking to a dwarf's size in the evening, is the only means of preservation left to the gods'.This instruction, relating directly to the Vishnu strides mentioned in the RigVeda, is also given in relation to the Darsapûrnamâseshtî, or 'New and Full-moon Sacrifices'. The three strides of Vishnu are not mentioned in direct relation to the legend of Vishnu as a dwarf. Instead, they are mentioned in regards to the performance of sacrifices to consecrate the sacrificial ground.
This quote shows that 'Bali' is used refer to oblative portions or sacrificial offerings in ritual ceremonies such as the Agnihotra. In combination with 'Bali' being used to refer to taxes, it therefore seems possible these meanings are linked with Bali being a king that loved to perform sacrifices and give sacrificial offerings.
Black YajurVeda: Taittiriya Samhita
As per the above quote from the Taittirya Samhita, the sacrificial fee for Vishnu is a dwarf-animal. As D.A. Soifer states, the 'series of connections inherent in all this seems to be as follows: Visnu's three steps regain the worlds - Vishnu as a dwarf takes the three steps - a dwarf animal is sacrificed to Visnu to gain the power of this three steps'.Black YajurVeda: Taittiriya Brahmana
This quote shows that 'Bali' is used refer to taxes paid to the King. It seems possible that this is linked to the character of Bali being a king who - also consistent with the other meaning of 'sacrificial offerings or oblations' - loved to perform sacrifices and give sacrificial offerings.Atharva Veda
Upanishads
Brihadaranyaka Upanishad
The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad is one of the Mukhya or Principal 108 Upanishads. From the last book of the Śatapatha Brāhmana, it is a treatise on Ātman, and has been commented upon by figures such as Adi Shankara and Madhvacharya.According to this Sruti scripture, the concept of the 'three words' does not just refer to physical reality. It also has other - more mystical - meanings, including speech, mind, and vital force. As such, the legend of Vamana striding over the three worlds in two or three steps also may have more mystical meanings, and those provided by the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad seem to be consistent with established Vedic concepts such as Pancha Bhoota. For example, it is stated by the above-quoted Upanishad that the first step on the earth also represents the organ of speech. According to other authoritative - including Sruti sources - the first step, ground, and speech are all represented by Agni :
- Sayana states that the first step on the earth is represented by Agni.
- The Taittiriya Samhita 1.7.11 states 'Agni with one syllable won speech'.
- The Shatapatha Brahmana 3.2.2.13 states 'Agni is speech'.
Itihāsa (Epics)
Mahabharata
The Mahabharata, ascribed to the sage Vyāsa, is one of two epic poems in the Hindu cannon. Most notably, of the 18 the books of the Mahabharata, the sixth is the Bhagavad Gita, containing the teachings of Krishna. The main account of Vamana is quoted above from chapter 270 of the third book, the Vana Parva, in its entirety. All other references cited are either brief mentions of this legend or supplementary information such as blessings that can be obtained in relation to Vamana.Notably, academics such as J.Melton and C.A. Jones state that 'Onam, an ancient rice harvest festival, is now tied to the story of King Mahabali as recounted in the epic Indian tale, the Mahabharata... Vishnu, impressed with Mahabali's devotion, granted him the boon of being able to revisit his former subjects once a year'. However, no references were provided and no such account has been found in the Mahabharata. Other notable details include:
- Referring to the RigVeda, it is stated 'He is the great Boar. He is the great Lion, and He is the Three-stepped Lord'
- Aditi gave birth to the Gods, Diti the Asuras, and Danu the Danavas; all are wives of Kasyapa
- Krishna, while informing the sage Narada of His incarnations including Vamana, states 'The Vedas... were re-created by me in the Satya Yuga. They have once more disappeared or may only be partially heard here and there in the Puranas'
- It is stated that 'By observing a fast on the twelfth day of the moon in the month of Ashadha and worshipping Krishna as the dwarf, one attains to the merits of the Naramedha sacrifice and sports in happiness with the Apsaras'
- Vishnu states 'who behold a Brahmana that is a dwarf in stature, or a boar that has just risen from water and that bears on his head a quantity of mud taken up from the bank, have never to meet with any evil. They become freed from every sin'
Harivamsa
First account
The first account consists of only one chapter. It begins with the Daitya Bali, having conquered Indra and the gods, conducting a Rajasuya sacrifice, officiated by Shukra and joined by 'many Brahmanas observant of ascetic vows and well read in the Vedas'. At this sacrifice Sarasvati appears and grants Bali a boon. Vamana is then born, takes the three worlds away from Bali in three footsteps, and restores Indra to power while the 'Daityas entered into the nether region'. Bali gratifies the gods with an 'offering of ambrosia', and so 'was shorn of his sins and became immortal'.Second account
The second account of the legend of Vamana is very similar to the accounts in the Matsya and Vamana Puranas. As shown above in comparison to the Vamana Purana, there are even strong similarities in wording, despite being a different translation of different text by a different translator. It therefore seems likely that either all three texts share a common source, or that one is the origin of the others.The second - and main - account of Vamana consists of 7 chapters. 'Kashyapa, the well-dressed son of Marichi, espoused two sisters of Prajapati, Diti and Aditi'. Aditi gives birth to the twelve classes of celestials / Adityas / Suras, and Diti gives birth to the demons / Daityas / Asuras, including Hiranyakashipu, the great-grandfather of Bali. After Hiranyakashipu is destroyed by the Narasimha avatar, the noble Bali is crowned King of the Asuras. Having defeated Indra and the Suras, Bali is congratulated by Lakshmi.
The gods seek refuge with their mother, Aditi, at her Hermitage. She tells Indra 'yourself and all the immortals cannot slay Virochana's son, Bali. Only the thousand-headed Purusha is capable of slaying him and none else'. The gods and Aditi then approach Kasyapa, who agreeing with their desire to restore Indra's throne, takes them to the celestial abode of Brahmaloka to speak with Brahma. Brahma advises them to seek Vishnu, and they do so 'at the northern bank of the ocean of milk... Reaching that place called Amrita the Suras along with Kashyapa began to practice hard austerities for many years with a view to propitiate the thousand-eyed intelligent Yogin Narayana'.
Vishnu, pleased with the austerities of the Gods, agrees to Kashyapa's request to be born as Indra's 'younger brother, ever enhancing the joy of thy kinsmen and as the son of myself and Aditi'. Back at the Hermitage 'filled with saints they engaged in the study of the Vedas and awaited Aditi's conception;. After a thousand years of pregnancy, Aditi, gives birth to Vamana, 'the protector of the gods and the destroyer of the Asuras'. Praised and Eulogised by the gods, Vamana agrees to attend the horse sacrifice of Bali with the Rishi Vrihaspati, and while there 'will do what I think proper for regaining the three worlds'.
At the sacrifice Vamana 'assumed the form of a boy, had smokey eyes, wore sacrificial thread well-polished, and deer-skin. He had an umbrella and staff in his hands. Although not aged he appeared like an old man'. Appearing to Bali, Vamana 'of wonderful speech, with reasons and arguments laid down in the Vedas, but not visible to any, described himself unto Bali as being identical with sacrifice'. Astonished, Bali asks about Vamana and what He wants. After describing the details and merits of the Ashvamedha sacrifice, Vamana requests three steps of land before Bali is warned by Shukra 'do not promise him any gift... He is the Great Lord Hari. Having assumed the form of a dwarf through his Maya he has come here to impose on you for the well-being of the king of gods '.
Bali, pleased that the Lord of Sacrifice has personally attended, rejects the protests of both Shukra and his grandfather Prahlada to gift three footsteps of land to Vamana, who then displays his Universal Form. Angry, the other Asuras approach Vamana 'like insects going to a fire'. Increasing His gigantic form, Vamana smashes 'all the sons of Diti with his palms and feet'. The Asura leaders are destroyed, the three worlds possessed 'with his three foot steps' are given back to Indra, and Bali is pleased to be assigned 'the region under the earth called Sutala'. Bali is also conferred a boon where he will benefit from the merits of things like improper sacrifices and vow-less studies, etc. Vishnu divides the world, and later Narada and Garuda discuss Vishnu with Bali, bound by celestial serpents.
Links to the Varaha avatar
- Notably, the horse-sacrifice is described as 'the best of all sacrifices' and that this 'great yajna the shape of a boar with golden horns, iron hoops and gait fleet like the mind, which has profuse gold and is the origin of the universe, is highly sacred'. This may link to the Varaha avatar
- Bali, after the three worlds were taken from him by the Vamana avatar and stricken by the consequences, mentions Varaha lifting the Earth to Narada
Ramayana
Valmiki version 1
- Siddhacrama is the name of the Hermitage 'of the high-souled Vamana'
Valmiki version 2
Adhyatma Ramayana
Maha-Puranas
Agni Purana
The first brief account of the legend of Vamana in the Agni Purana, consisting of only 7 verses, has been quoted above in full. Notably, despite only being two paragraphs in length, it seems to contain all the fundamentals of the legend :- Indra and the gods are defeated by Bali, the demonic king who now rules the three worlds
- The gods ultimately seek refuge in Vishnu, who is born to Aditi as Vamana the Brahmin-dwarf, to defeat Bali
- Vamana attends a sacrifice being performed by the noble Bali, who ignores warnings about Vamana to knowingly grant three steps of land
- Vamana repossesses the three worlds in three steps which are given to Indra who rules again, and Bali is sent to the Netherworld.
- Siddhasrama is stated to be 'the place where Visnu manifested as the Dwarf'
- Images of Vamana, Narasimha, Hayagriva, and Varaha should be placed in the south-east, south-west, north-west, and north-east, respectively
- Vamana is stated to bear 'the conch, disc, mace, and lotus'
- Agni details the means of worshipping Vamana, via observation of the Sravanadvadasi Vrata in the month of bhadrapada
- Of the 12 battles or wars between the Devas and Asuras, the first involved Narasimha, the second Vamana, and the third Varaha
- Vamana should be worshipped at Kuruksetra
Bhagavata Purana
After the Churning of the Ocean of Milk, Bali was defeated and killed by the Devas led by Indra, but was brought back by Śukrācārya, who becomes his preceptor. After performing the Viśvajit-yajña, and rebuilding his strength, Bali travels to the city of Indrapuri with his army for another battle with Indra, while 'Bṛhaspati advised the demigods to leave the heavenly planets and keep themselves somewhere invisible... , in performing one hundred aśvamedha-yajñas... enjoyed the opulences of the heavenly planets'. Aditi, to help her son Indra, performs penances to propitiate Vishnu, as taught by Kasyapa. Krishna, 'being very pleased by the payo-vrata ceremony performed by Aditi... agreed to become her son'.
After Vamana is born and assumes the form of a dwarf, the Jatakarma and sacred thread ceremonies are performed. Vamana then visits the sacrificial arena on the northern side of the Narmadā River, at the field known as Bhṛgukaccha, where brāhmaṇas of the Bhṛgu dynasty were performing yajñas... after washing the Lord’s feet, Bali Mahārāja immediately accepted the water from the Lord’s feet on his head and felt that he and his predecessors had certainly been glorified. Then Bali Mahārāja inquired of Lord Vāmanadeva’s welfare and requested the Lord to ask him for money, jewels or anything He might desire'.
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Vamana praises Hiraṇyakaśipu and Hiraṇyākṣa before asking for three footsteps of land. However, Śukrācārya knows the dwarf is Vishnu acting on behalf of Indra, and so forbids Bali to gift anything. As it 'is the duty of a householder to maintain the principles of religion... Bali Mahārāja thought it improper to withdraw his promise... Lord Vāmanadeva then immediately extended Himself into a universal body. By the mercy of Lord Vāmanadeva, Bali Mahārāja could see that the Lord is all-pervading and that everything rests in His body... The Lord gradually covered the entire surface of the world, and by extending His body He covered the entire sky. With His hands He covered all directions, and with His second footstep He covered the entire upper planetary system. Therefore there was no vacant place where He could take His third footstep'.
Seeing Bali deprived of everything in two steps, angry demons attack Vamana, but are defeated and - on Bali's order - are banished to the netherworld. Bali is arrested and bound with the rope of Varuna by Garuda, before Vishnu asks for the third step of land promised. However as 'Lord Viṣṇu appreciated Bali Mahārāja’s determination and integrity, when Bali Mahārāja was unable to fulfill his promise, Lord Viṣṇu ascertained that the place for him would be the planet Sutala, which is better than the planets of heaven'. Bali remembers the devotion of his grandfather, Prahlada, and so offers his head to Vishnu for the third step; pleased with this devotion, Krishna offers 'His disc to protect Bali Mahārāja' and promises to remain with him as a doorkeeper. Other details include:
- Vamana is the 15th overall incarnation of Krishna
- Vamana is stated to have had a wife called Kīrti with whom 'He begot one son, named Bṛhatśloka, who had many sons, headed by Saubhaga'. Aiyangar states that Kirti means 'Fame', Brihat-soka means 'great praise', and Sanbhaga means 'Happiness'. The only other mention of a wife is made in the Vishnu Purana, whose name there is stated to be Padma or Kamala
- According to the Brahmavaivarta Purana, Aditi performed a different ceremony to beget Vamana, called the Supunyaka Vrata
- The 'kaccha' from 'Bhrgukaccha' refers to tortoises, as well as to soil
- Krishna informs his parents, Vasudeva and Devaki, that He was also previously their son as Vamana when they were Kasyapa and Aditi
- Bana, the eldest son of Bali, was a devotee of Shiva and 'especially satisfied the lord by playing a musical accompaniment with his one thousand arms'
Brahma Purana
First account
Although the first account of the legend of Vamana in Brahma Purana is brief and otherwise entirely typical in nature, it is notable that 20 of the 28 verses focus on detailing the names and attributes of the Asuras that either attacked and/or were destroyed by Vamana. The remaining 8 verses relay the legend itself, whereby Vishnu adopts the dwarf-form of Vamana, attends 'the yajna of the powerful Bali', crushes the demons in His gigantic form, and returns control of the three worlds to Indra.Second account
The second account of the legend of Vamana consists of an entire chapter. Narrated by Brahma to Narada, it differs from the usual accounts insofar as the gods led by Indra are 'defeated' not in a literal battle, but rather by the good and noble qualities of the invincible Bali, under whose rule 'there were no enemies, no ailments, no anxieties in any way.. While Bali was ruling over the kingdom, none of these was seen even in dream, viz. famine, evil, denial of God, wickedness'. Jealous and miserable, the gods seek refuge in Vishnu, who states Bali is a devotee, 'cannot be conquered by Devas or Asuras', but can be bound 'by means of words with miraculous power' to return the kingdom to them.Vishnu enters the womb of Aditi and is born as the dwarf, Vamana. Assuming the form of a Brahmin, Vamana then attends the sacrifice of Bali 'singing Saman verses'. The preceptor of the demons, Sukra - a descendant of Bhrgu - warns Bali and his wife about Vamana, and Bali responds 'Blessed I am because the lord of sacrifices is coming to my house so unexpectedly'.
Vamana requests three steps of land, this is granted by Bali, and Vamana grows in size, covering all of existence in two steps, as quoted above. Pleased with Bali, Vamana offers a boon but Bali does not wish for anything. The three worlds are returned to Indra, and Bali and his family are sent to the netherworld.
Brahmanda Purana
A brief account of the legend of Vamana is provided in the Brahmanda Purana. It is notable as one of the few accounts where Bali is neither forewarned nor aware of the true nature of Vamana, or the consequences for gifting a three footsteps of land. In addition, while Bali and other 'Asuras along with their sons and grandsons' are driven to Patala by Vamana, the 'cruel ones among them were killed'. After the Devas, Danavas, and human beings see the gigantic universal form of Vamana - containing the universe within it - the three worlds are bestowed back to the 'noble-souled' leader of the Devas, Indra. Other details include:- The tip of one of Vishnu's toes, while He took the three steps to reclaim the three worlds from Bali, created the Ganges river
- Of the 12 battles or wars between the Devas and Asuras, the first involved Narasimha, the second Vamana, and the third Varaha
- Bali is described as 'noble-minded' and as a 'great yogin'
Brahmavaivarta Purana
Countless thousands of ants appear, and Vamana states to Indra that every one of them was previously enthroned as an Indra. He adds that all the ants had achieved their positions - high and low - because of their Karmas, alone. A sage called Lomasa arrives later, and asked why a patch of hair was missing from his chest, states that he loses a hair every time an Indra dies. He adds that there have been innumerable Brahmas, and that yet with 'the fall of Brahma, Visnu winks but once'. Vamana - who turns out to be 'Shiva in the form of Vishnu' - and Lomasa disappear. Indra, looking at 'the whole scene like a dream', is left more humbled and intelligent. Visvakarma is thus generously rewarded with riches for his work by Indra and sent back to his own abode.
A more typical account of Vamana is also provided elsewhere in the Purana. Quoted below, it is given as one of a series of examples where Indra becomes arrogant and so has his pride shattered by Vishnu :
Other details include:
- It is stated that Bali consumes the sacrifices improperly performed
- The Supunyaka Vrata is undertaken by women to propitiate Krishna and through His favour beget a son; it is stated that Aditi performed the Supunyaka Vrata to get 'a son who happened to be the dwarf incarnation' ; According to the Bhagavata Purana, Aditi instead performed the payo-vrata.
- The Prajapati Sutapa and his wife Prsni pleased Vishnu so much with their tapas that he agreed to be their son, including a second time as Vamana in their incarnations as Kasyapa and Aditi, and ultimately a third time as Krishna in their incarnations as Vasudeva and Devaki
- Ratnamala, the daughter of Bali, 'felt attracted towards Vamana and desired to have him as her son, she had thought in her mind that the son like him should be fed by her from her breasts'. Her wish was granted by Krishna: incarnated as Putana, the demoness breastfed poison to baby Krishna before being killed by Him
- Shiva incarnated as a dwarf Brahmana - described almost identically to Vamana - when concerned for Parvati, who had grown weak due to practising austerities ; this may be a reference to Vajasaneyi Samhita.
Garuda Purana
- 'Vamana' is one of the 1,000 names of Vishnu, as is 'Balibandhanakrt', Trivikrama, and 'Bali'
- The Salagrama stone for Vamana 'is circular and short'
- Vamana is listed as fifth in Dashavatara, the ten principle incarnations of Vishnu
- 'Vamana' is one of the names of Vishnu to repeat at a sacred rite called the to take place 'On the eighth day in the dark half mingled with the Rohini star'
- Bali is stated by Hari to be the son of Virocana, grandson of Prahlada, the son of Hiranyakasipu, and to have had 100 sons of his own, the eldest being Bana
- During the reign of the next Manu called Savarni, Bali will be elected to the post of Indra
- It is stated that the 'idol of dadhivamana should have the size of barely corn. It should be round, blue in hue, slender in proportion and of pleasant aspect. It should wield a pair of wheels, five gopuras, bow and arrow. It should be straight and round and adorned with a garland of wild flowers. It should contain a thousand heads, a silvery dot on the right side of the forehead and an auspicious semicircular mark on the left and the full moon in the middle. Such auspicious gifts are attended by good fortune to the donor'
Kurma Purana
First account
In the first account, following the part quoted above, Vamana covering all three worlds in three steps splits the cosmic egg, and the consequent flow of water rushing into it is 'termed by Brahma' as the Ganges. Vamana then tells Bali that he will be banished to the netherworld until merging with Him at the time of dissolution. Vamana gives the three worlds back to Indra before disappearing in front of everyone's eyes. In the nether world, the devotee Bali seeks instruction from his grandfather, Prahlada, to worship and seek refuge in Vishnu.Prahlada is also directly linked with the legend of Narasimha, the fourth avatar of Vishnu, who killed Hiranyakashipu. Hiranyakashipu is the father of Prahlada, great-grandfather of Bali, and elder brother of Hiranyaksha. The latter was killed by Varaha, the third avatar of Vishnu. Both Hiranyakashipu and Hiranyaksha themselves are the first of three incarnations of Jaya and Vijaya, the doorkeepers of Vishnu cursed by the Four Kumaras.
Second account
In a second and much briefer account, it is stated that in 'this Vaivasvata Manuvantra, Visnu was born of Kasyapa and Aditi as Vamana. Winning the three worlds with his three steps, this high-souled lord gave in to Indra the triple world bereft of all obstacles... Since this entire world was entied by the high-souled Vamana, therefore he is called by all as Vishnu due to the root 'Vis' involved herein'. Vaivasvata, also known as Shraddhadeva Manu, is the current and seventh of fourteen total Manus that rule the current Kalpa in succession. Vaivasvata is also directly linked with the legend of Matsya, the first avatar of Vishnu, who rescued him from the deluge at the end of the reign of the sixth Manu, Chakshusha.Linga Purana
In the Linga Purana, the legend of Vamana is only briefly mentioned, as quoted above. Other details include:- 'Vamana' and 'Trikrama' are listed as two of the 1,000 names of Shiva
- Matala, the netherworld or Hell, 'is occupied by Ananta, Mucukunda and king Bali who is the resident of Patala and Svarga'
- It is stated that 'Omkara is identical with the three worlds, the three Vedas, the three sacrificial fires, the three steps of Vishnu, the three scriptures, viz. Rk, Samans and Yajur mantras'
- Vamana is listed in the Dashavatara, or ten principle avatars of Vishnu
Markandeya Purana
Matsya Purana
In the Matsya Purana, three chapters are dedicated to the legend of Vamana. It has elements and descriptions very similar to that of the Vamana Purana in particular. In this account, Shaunaka tells Arjuna that after Indra is vanquished by the Asuras, his mother, Aditi, 'the mother of the Devas began to practise rigid austerities... For one thousand years she worshipped Lord Krisna by living on air alone, and on seeing Her children oppressed by the she said to Herself that Her sons were born in vain'. Vishnu, pleased with the devotion of Aditi, agrees to her request to restore Indra to power and states 'I shall therefore be born of you through Kasyapa when I shall kill all the demons' .After the demons lose their lustre, Bali enquiries from his grandfather and devotee of Vishnu, Prahlada, what the reason is. Meditating on Hari, Prahlada has a vision of Vamana and informs Bali, who initially scoffs but apologises after being cursed as 'indiscriminate, vicious and disrespectful'. Upon the birth of Vamana, 'all the Devas, even the Demons, men, earth, heaven, sky became peaceful', while Brahma prays and performs the appropriate birth ceremonies. Brahma gives Vamana a deerskin to wear, Vrihaspati the sacred thread, Marichi the Danda, Vasitha the Kamandala, Angira gives Kusa grass and the Vedas, Pulaha the Aksasutra, and Pulastya the white raiment. As Vamana proceeds to the sacrifice of King Bali, the 'portion of the land on which Vamana put His feet in walking sank down and a deep hole appeared there and He made the whole world with all its mountains to oceans... quiver though He walked slowly'.
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Bali enquires from his preceptor Shukra why his sacrifices are not being accepted by Agni, and is informed Vamana is coming to the sacrifice. Although realising that Vishnu cannot be refused, Bali is still considers it 'uncommon good fortune that the Lord, for whose sake various asceticism, gifts, sacrifices, etc., are performed' will accept his offering in person. Bali offers any riches or any amount of land Vamana chooses, but is requested to give only three steps.
Upon agreement, Vamana 'spread His vast Form and He measured the earth in the twinkling of an eye', and spreading over the three worlds, 'killed the great Asuras for the benefit of the Devas'. Vamana gives the three worlds to Indra and the nether regions to Bali, with the promise that after 'Vaivasvata Manu is succeeded by Savarni Manu, you will become Indra '. Vamana also mentions that as Bali in 'ancient times' had worshipped Him most devoutly, he can go to live in Patala, 'abounding in excellent gardens, palaces, luxuriant flowers, lakes, rivers' etc. Vamana then vanishes. Other details include:
- The oldest of Bali's 100 sons is Bana, who had 1,000 arms
- Bali reigned for 20,080,000 years
- The queen of Bali is Vindhyabali
- The place where Bali performed sacrifices is called Ilavrita Varsa, 'famous as being the birth place of all the Devas'
- Shuka states 'O Prahlada, your grandson, King Bali, will reign with all glory, in different realms for, even, Lord Visnu will promise this secretly to your grandson, when He will deprive him of his kingdom in His Dwarf incarnation... Siva, the most supreme Lord of the entire universe, has spoken to me, as a secret, that Bali will be the future King of the Devas , and therefore He, invisible to all, is awaiting that time, O Prahlada'.
- It is stated 'Namah Karanavamanya on the fore of the teeth sacred to Svati asterism and Vamana avatara'
Narada Purana
In this account, Vishnu visits and offers Aditi a boon, being pleased with her penances. Aditi requests that her sons, the Devas, be restored to power, but without 'any harm unto Daityas, since they too are my sons'. Vishnu agrees, and promises to be born as her son, Vamana. Praised by Kasyapa upon His birth before taking 'leave of his mother and father, that Brahmana bachelor Vamana, went over to the great sacrifice of the supremely affluent Daitya , that was being performed'. Sukra warns Bali and advises him not to give anything to Vamana, but Bali refuses, stating 'O preceptor, you should not tender such advice which is contrary to the path of virtue. If Visnu himself partakes of oblations or gifts, what can be better than that?' Vamana arrives, is greeted by Bali in reverence, and explains the virtues of gifting lands to Brahmanas with the story of Bhadramati before asking for 'a plot of land measuring three steps'. As Bali takes up a pitcher of water to offer the land, Sukra attempts to obstruct the flow of water to prevent the offering, but Vamana uses the tip of Kusa/Darbha grass to touch the spout of the pitcher and completes it.
'Vishnu, that Soul of the Universe began to grow in size till he reached the abode of Brahma', and taking three steps, pierces the crust of the Cosmic Egg. The water that flows in and washes His feet 'thereby became pure and sanctified the world... It was served as resorted by the seven sages. Then it fell on the top of mount Meru' to become the Ganges. The three worlds are thus return to the Devas, Bali is given Rasatala 'along with all his Asuras', and Vamana goes to a 'forest for performing penance' . Other details include:
- On the Dvadasi day in the bright half of the month of Asadha, one should fast and worship Vamana, who 'is the bestower of intellect'
- Chapter 10 details the defeat of the Devas by Bali, where the Asuras also attempt to convince Aditi to stop her penances to Vishnu
- During the eighth Manvantara thanks 'to the power of the Puja of Visnu, Bali is remembered as their Indra '
- 'Bali' is mentioned as a food offering in sacrifices several times throughout
- Vamana is stated to have been 'installed by all the Devas' at Kotitirtha
Padma Purana
First Account
The first is related by the sage Pulastya to Bhisma, which took place 'formerly in the Satya Yuga'. Similar to the legend of Vritra in the Bhagavata Purana, Baskali conquers the gods led by Indra after attaining the boon of invincibility from Brahma, forcing them to ultimately seek Vishnu for refuge. Vishnu agrees to help, and Aditi is pregnant for 1,000 divine years with the Vamana avatar. It is noted that Aditi 'entertained a malicious design' to destroy the demons during her pregnancy.At 'the time as ordained, the god, the lord of lords, kind to all beings, of pure and scanty hair, having the beauty of the moon, the conch and the rise, became Aditi's son'. Vamana later travels with Indra to the city of Baskali to request three steps of land. To the amazement of Indra, in the city there 'was no religious merit, no lore, no architecture, no art that did not exist ', and even the Vedas were being recited by 'virtuous demons'. Baskali himself 'was conversant with righteousness, was grateful, truth-speaking, and had his senses controlled'.
Delighted, Baskali compares seeing Indra to sacrifices like the Agnistoma and Rajasuya. Indra praises Baskali and requests three steps of land for the dwarf-brahmin to have a fire-sanctuary to make sacrifices. Baskali praises and surrenders to Vamana as Vishnu who 'has performed a hundred sacrifices endowed with excellent sacrificial fees', adding that Vishnu 'killed Vrtra Namuci'. Although advised by Sukra to gift nothing to Vamana or else face total destruction, Baskali considers himself lucky to be able to surrender to Vishnu and wants to give everything. Indra repeats that only three steps of land are requested, and 'Baskali then gave three steps to the dwarf, after water, saying 'Let Hari himself be pleased with me'.
The first step of Vamana is on the sun, the second is on Dhruva, and the third reaches outside the universe. Water rushing in through the crack in the edge of the universe caused by the tip of Vishnu's toe becomes the river Visnupadi, an auspicious and holy river. Vishnu offers Baskali a boon, and is requested only for increased devotion and a death at His hands in order to enter the realm even 'inaccessible to the ascetics'. Vishnu agrees and promises to kill Baskali when they incarnate and battle as Varaha and Hiranyaksha, respectively. Otherwise, after being deposed, 'Baskali lived happily in the netherworld Indra also protected the three worlds'.
Second account and other details
The second account, narrated by Mahadeva, is much shorter and more typical in nature. In this, Vamana is implored by the gods to visit the sacrifice of Bali to request the three worlds from him. Vamana, this time alone without Indra, is greeted and worshipped by Bali, explains the merit of donating land, and requests three steps, which is granted despite the protests of Sukra. Vamana then 'abandoned his dwarfish form... extending up to fifty crores he seized the earth along with the seas and mountains, along with the oceans, islands, gods, demons and human beings'. As Vishnu places his second and third steps, creating the sacred Ganges in the process, Bali is granted the ability to sees His universal 'Janardana-form'. Other details include:- The 'three objects' of worldly existence specified by Baskali are Dharma, Artha, and Kama
- 'Vamana' is listed as one of the hundred names of Vishnu
- Vamana 'removed, with the auspicious glances, the sin of Bali... lord Vamana, shining in the group of Brahmanas at the head of the sacrifice, adorned with Brahmanic glory
- Vamana should be worshipped - amongst other gods - during Amalaki Ekadasi
- In the Hymn called 'Apamarjana', Vamana is assigned to 'the roots of the ears'
- The 'round and small' salagrama stone is called 'Vamana'
- Vishnu as Vamana is stated to dwell in Holy places called Kanyakubja and Vamanatirtha
- Reference is made to a sage called Vamana who, amongst others, served Shiva due to the grace of Ganesha
- Vamana is listed in the Dashavatara, the ten principle incarnations of Vishnu
Shiva Purana
- Bali conquering the gods led by Indra is a prelude to the legend of the Kurma avatar, where the Devas and Asuras form a pact to churn of the ocean of milk. Bali is present at the churning where a 'great battle for the possession of Amrta ensued between the Gods and the Asuras', and after gaining possession of it, where Vishnu incarnates as Mohini to give the Amrita to the gods
- Aniruddha sneaks into the residence of Bana to form an alliance with Usa. This legend is repeated in other Puranas such as the Srimad Bhagavatam.
- The eldest son of Bali, Bana 'became a devotee of Siva. He was highly respected and intelligent'
- There is a mountain called Vamana
- Hiranyaksipu, Hiranyaksa, Virocana 'and Bali worship Siva every day' ; the exception is Prahlada who does not worship Shiva but instead worships Vishnu
- Vamana is listed in the Dashavatara, the ten principle incarnations of Vishnu
Skanda Purana
First account
In the first account, after being defeated by the Daityas, the shamed Suras disguise themselves as different animals and go to the hermitage of Kasyapa and Aditi for refuge. Aditi wishes to help the Suras, so on the advice of Kasyapa, she performs the Ekabhakta rite for Vishnu for a year. Pleased with Aditi's holy penance, Janardana, on 'the Dvadasi day which coincided with Sravana constellation the form of a Brahmacarin. He was two-armed and had lotus-like eyes. He had the colour of the flower of Atasi. He was adorned with a garland of sylvan flowers'.Pondering how to defeat the Daityas, Vamana first orders his gada to kill Bali, but it replies that this is impossible as Bali is 'a great Brahmanya '. His discus and Sarnga bow give the same reply when ordered to kill Bali, too: 'Just as you are Brahmanya, O Visnu, so is this great Daitya also'. Meanwhile, the Daityas conquer heaven and install Bali on Indra's throne. Bali's previous life as a sinful gambler is recounted, before it is revealed Aditi completed her Vrata - upon which Vamana, 'Aditi's son in the form of a great religious student' appeared - just before Bali's 100th horse-sacrifice.
At the sacred thread ceremony performed by Kasyapa for Vamana, Brahma gives the sacred thread, Soma gives the staff, the Earth gives two sandals, and Bhavani gives Alms. Also given a girdle and deer-hide by unknown parties, Vamana proceeds to Bali's next sacrifice. Although Bali is willing to give the Brahmin the whole earth, Vamana requests only three steps of land, before Sukra warns Bali that the religious student is Vishnu in disguise, and in relation to the Kurma avatar, that Vishnu had previously incarnated as Mohini to take the Amrita away from the Daityas to give to the Suras.
In the next chapter, Bali states that he intends to give whatever is asked as 'Lord Hari, the soul of everyone has come here out of sympathy for me, in order to redeem me'. Sukra curses Bali for ignoring his advice and retreats to a Hermitage. There is no mention of Sukra attempting to block the offering or losing his eye. Vamana takes two steps, the first covering the earth and the second all existence; the water used by Brahma to wash the foot of Vishnu that took the second step produces the Ganges. Vamana returns to His original size, and through Garuda, admonishes and binds Bali for only gifting two steps, not three as promised. Vindhyavali, Bali's wife, sees through this ruse and offers the heads of Bali, her son Bana, and herself for Vishnu to step on. Delighted, Vishnu releases Bali from his bonds, instructs Bali to rule in Sutala, and offers a Boon. Bali states 'I do not wish for anything except your lotus-like feet, O Lord'. Vishnu promises to be Bali's gatekeeper forever, and all 'the beggars and mendicants of the three worlds went to Bali. Visnu who stood at the entrance to his abode, granted to them whatever they desired to get'. The account then ends with a eulogy to Shiva, by whose favour 'that Bali became thus'.
Second account and other details
In the second account, after the request of the gods granted a boon by Vishnu, Vamana is born 'as the delighter of Aditi' some time later. At this time Bali was performing 'a hundred horse sacrifices with a desire to take away the kingdom of Indra'. Vamana, singing 'the Mantras of all the four Vedas', arrives at Bali's sacrifice officiated by figures such as Kasyapa and Bhrgu. Announced by the doorkeepers, Vamana is taken by Bali to the centre of the hall, and asked His reason for coming as well as whatever He may desire.Vamana requests three steps of land. Bali offers much more, but Vamana repeats he wishes for three steps of land. Against the advice of Bhrgu, this is granted by Bali, and 'Hari immediately occupied the cosmos. The entire region of earth including mountains, forests and jungles was covered by two and a half '. Having conquered the Asuras, Vamana gives the three worlds back to Satakratu and returns to earth. The remainder of the chapter concerns the merits of the Vamana Tirtha related to this legend. Other details include:
- The city of Bali in Patala is called Bhogavati
- The 12-month Jyesthapancaka Vrata to Vishnu is described in detail, including mention of Vamana
- Bali requests from Vamana that if 'people offer lamps to Naraka on the fourteenth day , all their forefathers shall cease to be in Naraka'
- In the procedure for Puja Mandala Construction for Vishnu Worship, Vamana, along with the Buddha, should be installed at 'the front of the eastern filament... both of them dark as a cloud, compassionate, quiescent, celibate, wearing sacred thread and white garments, holding a full bloomed lotus in the right hand, the left hand indicating Abhaya by its position'
- When the murti of Vamana is installed in the house 'he makes people prosperous'
- Vamana is listed in the Dashavatara, the ten principle incarnations of Vishnu
- Bali is to take the position of Indra during the reign of the eighth Manu
Vamana Purana
First account
The first account is remarkably similar to that of the Matsya Purana, and consists of 9 chapters. It begins with the coronation of Bali as the King after defeating Indra. Noble and religious, Bali is congratulated for his victory and blessed by Sri. Meanwhile, Indra returns to his mother, Aditi, who states Bali can only be defeated by Vishnu. Aditi and the gods go to Kasyapa, 'the creator of beings, the Supreme Master of the entire progeny' who then takes them to Brahmaloka, the celestial abode of Brahma.Brahma informs the gods that the three worlds will be delivered by 'Him who is the Lord of all the worlds, the eternal master of the universe, and the First born they call the Primordial First Deity. Even the gods do not know who the Great One is'. From there the gods travel to 'the northern bank of the Ksiroda Ocean, in the northern direction, where the Creator of the universe is present... the region known as Amrta'. There, knowing 'Lord Narayana, the thousand-eyed god' could only be realised through spiritual union, practiced holy vows and recited the Vedas for 1,000 years. Kasyapa also eulogises Vishnu by reciting many of His names, including 'Devadeva' and 'Prasitara' and states the importance of sacrifice.
Narayana agrees to the request of Kasyapa to 'be born as the younger brother of Indra, the promoter of the happiness of the relatives, and the dear son of Aditi'. Returning to the Hermitage of Kasyapa, Aditi then performs penances for 10,000 years. Pleased with her penance Vishnu appears, agrees to Aditi's wish to restore her son Indra to power, and becomes conceived in the womb. After the demons lose their lustre, Bali enquiries from his grandfather and devotee of Vishnu, Prahlada, what the reason is. Meditating on Hari, Prahlada has a vision of Vamana and informs Bali, who scoffs and is consequently cursed as for his disrespect towards 'the all-pervasive, supreme spirit'. Bali apologises, is forgiven by Prahlada, and accepts he will lose his kingdom as a result of the curse. Meanwhile, Vamana is born to Aditi after 10 months of pregnancy. Brahma performs the Jatakarma ceremony and other rites before gifting a black deer skin, Brhaspati the sacred thread, Marici the Asadha staff, Vasistha a Kamandalu, Angiras a silken cloth, and so on. The dwarf then proceeds slowly to the sacrifice of Bali, His footsteps leaving hollows in the earth.
Bali is warned by Sukra about the arrival of Vamana, and advised to refuse any request made. Bali responds that he could not refuse the Lord of Sacrifices even if he wanted to, and considers himself very fortunate the Lord is arriving to his Yajna personally. Bali offers Vamana 'a gift of anything that belongs to me' and Vishnu requests 'three strides for a fire sanctuary '. Bali agrees and as 'soon as water fell in his palm the Dwarf assumed non-dwarfish dimensions and showed instantly his form, comprehending all gods'. In three steps Vamana regains the three worlds which are returned to Indra, while Bali is promised to become Indra on 'the expiry of the Vaivasvata period' ; until then, he is to rule in Sutala, 'crowded with hundreds of palaces and provided with comforts necessary for gods'. The remainder of the chapter concerns the importance of sacrifices, and the merits achieved by Bali though improper practices of others, such as 'sacrifices performed without faith'.
Second account
The second account - excluding chapters not directly related to the legend, such as Bali conquering the gods beforehand and the pilgrimage of Prahlada after cursing Bali - consists of at least 5 chapters. In this, Indra travels to Brahmaloka to confer with Brahma and Kasyapa, where he is told that he lost his Kingdom due to his sin of attempting to destroy the fetus of Diti, another wife of Kasyapa and mother of the Daityas. Indra performs penances, of which he tells his mother, Aditi. Aditi in turn performs penances, and pleased, Vishnu agrees to be born as her son to restore Indra to power. Similar the first account, Bali is warned about the birth of Vamana and cursed after failing to take the threat seriously, albeit this time by his grandfather Prahlada, who then goes on a pilgrimage.Vamana is born, and eulogised by Brahma who performs the Upanayana and Jatakarma ceremonies and others. Pulaha gives the sacred thread to Vamana, Pulastya two white garments, Agastya a deer skin, Bharadvaja a girdle, Marici a staff, Vasistha rosary beads, Angiras a broom of Kusa grass, King Raghu an umbrella, Nrga a pair of shoes, Brhaspati a water-jar, and so on. Vamana states 'I will go to Kuruksetra which confers great prosperity. There the sacred Asvamedha sacrifice of the king of demons is going on'.
Sukra advises Bali not to give anything to Vamana. This advice is rejected by Bali, who relates the story of Nisakara 'the son of Kosakara, which took place on the Malaya Mountain in olden days'. It is similar to the legend of Bharata, insofar as it concerns a person that that having remembered their previous births, pretended to be mentally-handicapped, and suffered mistreatment by others as a result, in order to 'no longer commit terrible sins with my mind, actions and speech'. Vamana arrives at the sacrifice of Bali and requests three steps of land. Bali offers much more but Vamana again repeats 'Give me three steps; I do ask for this much only'. Bali agrees, and just 'as the water fell on the hand he assumed a divine, multifarious, world-embracing form for the purpose of pervading the three worlds'. In two steps, Vamana covers all existence and creates the Ganges. Vamana then tells Bali he must 'supply my step or accept captivity'. Bali's son, Bana, sees through the ruse and points out Vishnu could traverse all of existence in a single step despite being in the small form of a dwarf.
Vishnu responds that His three steps were also for the benefit of Bali, and to the King directly, says, 'O King, till my honorarium is paid, you go and live free from diseases in the subterranean region called Sutala which is highly beneficial'. As in the first account, Vishnu also states that improper sacrifices will also benefit Bali while resident in the netherworld, in addition to other sacred rituals such as Dvara-pratipada. Then, 'having restored heaven to Indra, and enabling the gods to enjoy their shares in sacrifices, the omnipotent Lord of the universe disappeared'.
Varaha Purana
In the Varaha Purana, it seems that the legend of Vamana is only briefly mentioned, as quoted above. Other details include:- Vamana is one of the 10 primary avatars of Vishnu
- In 'the month of Caitra, Visnu should be worshipped on Dvadasi day after due fasting. The feet should be worshipped as Vamana'
- Worship of Vamana removes 'all stupefaction'
- It is said that the 'only means for redemption for those who are ignorant and indifferent to dharma and do not have compassion or give gifts, is to perform worship and sacrifice to Lord Vamana at the confluence at Mathura when the star Sravana is in combination with Dvadasi in the month of Bhadrapada'
Vayu Purana
The previous two incarnations of Vishnu prior to Vamana are stated to be Varaha and Narasimha. Notably, deviating from avatars typically listed, the fourth listed is Dattatreya, the fifth is Mandhatr, the sixth is Parashurama, and the seventh is Rama. Other incarnations following Rama have not been listed here. Other details include:
- The sons of Bali 'established the disciplines of four castes on this earth'
- There are two different Balis. The first is MahaBali, the rival of Indra conquered by Vishnu/Vamana in three steps. The second is 'another East Indian King who being childless requested thus to Dirghatamas'. The anonymous translator notes that the Vayu Purana seems to mix-up or confuse these two Balis in chapter 37
- It is stated that 'He who was formerly Bali, the son of Virocana, will become their Indra'
- It is stated that a son of Bali, Cakravarma, will be incarnated as Karna, one of the main villains of the Mahabharata
Vishnu Purana
Festivals
Balipratipada
is an ancient festival observed during the five days of Diwali that amongst other things commemorates the Bali-Vamana legend. The legend signifies devotion, goodwill and generosity.Onam
In one version of the Vamana legend, when Mahabali offered himself for Vishnu's third step, it was an act of Mahabali's devotion. Vishnu granted him a boon. Mahabali chose to revisit earth, once every year, the lands and people he previously ruled. This revisit marks the festival of Onam, as reminder of the virtuous rule and his humility in keeping his promise before Vishnu.According to Nanditha Krishna, a simpler form of this legend, one without Mahabali, is found in the Rigveda and the Vedic text Shatapatha Brahmana where a solar deity is described with powers of Vishnu. This story likely grew over time, and is in part allegorical, where Bali is a metaphor for thanksgiving offering after a bounty of rice harvest during monsoon, and Vishnu is the metaphor of the Kerala sun and summer that precedes the Onam. According to Roshen Dalal, the story of Mahabali is important to Onam in Kerala, but similar Mahabali legends are significant in the region of Balia in Uttar Pradesh, Bawan also in the same state, Bharuch in Gujarat, and Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra. The story is significant not because Mahabali's rule ended, but it emphasizes the Hindu belief in cyclical nature of events, that no individual, no ruler and nothing lasts forever, except the virtues and self understanding that overcomes all sorrow.
Iconography
Vamana iconography varies by region. Three icons are common, one shows his left foot raised above his knee, the second shows his foot above his navel, and the third shows it raised above the forehead. These icons respectively symbolize the three worlds – netherworld, earth and heaven – Vamana covered as Trivikrama.Temples
The Vamana iconography and images are found in many Vaishnava temples. Some Vamana temples include:- Vamana temple at Marhia, Jabalpur
- Vamana temple in Nagpur complex of Ramagiri temples, Maharashtra
- Vamana along with other avatars of Vishnu, at the Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh, Jhansi
- Thrikkakara Temple, Thrikkakkara, Cochin, Kerala
- Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram in Kanchipuram
- Vamana Temple, Eastern Group of Temples, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
- Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Tirukoyilur in Tirukoilur, Viluppuram district, Tamil Nadu
- Kazheesirama Vinnagaram in Sirkazhi, Tamil Nadu
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- In Jagannath Puri Temple the tower of the main sanctuary has three subsidiary shrines, Varaha on south, Narasigha on west and Vamana on north. The high relief Vamana Dev is intricately describes the incident of Bali.