HINDU GOD - VAMANA
THE DWARF (WHO TURNED INTO A GIANT)
The demon king Bali Maharaja became
very powerful by performing various
sacrifices. He became unconquerable. He
launched an attack on Lord Indra, who in
turn knowing that he would be defeated
rushed to Brihaspati, the spiritual
master of the demigods. He advised him
and other demigods to go into hiding on
some other planets. Meanwhile Bali
Maharaja performed one hundred horse
sacrifices and became remarkably opulent
and prosperous. Bali Mahäräja conquered
all the planets of the universe by
rightful possession.
Aditi, wife of Kashyapa Muni and mother
of some of the demigods who were driven
away from heaven prayed to Lord Krishna,
to bring them back. Lord Krishna told
her that the demons led by Bali Maharaja
were now unconquerable, but however he
would incarnate as her son and protect
her other sons from the demons.
Eventually the Lord was born to Aditi in
the form of Vamana, a brahmana-dwarf.
The Lord was then informed that Bali
Maharaja was nearby, performing horse
sacrifices. Lord Vamana holding in his
hands a rod, umbrella and water pot
walked into the arena of sacrifice. Bali
Maharaja welcomed him and offered him
anything that he desired.
Lord Vamana asked for only three paces of land, to
the measurement of his steps. Bali Maharaja smiled at this and said
that he was willing to gift an entire planet to him. But the boy,
Lord Vamana wanted only three paces of land. Bali Maharaja’s
spiritual master Sukracharya cautioned him against agreeing to this,
as he knew the boy was an incarnation of the Personality of Godhead.
Without paying heed to his words, Bali Maharaja granted the gift to
the boy. |
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