What is the story behind “Vaman Incarnation” of Vishnu?
VAMANA AVATAR – The Dwarf Incarnation – Vamana is the Fifth Avatara of Vishnu, a dwarf brahmin. He is also known as Upendra. He defeats the Devas’ (Gods’) enemy Maha Bali Chakravarthi (of the demon race) into giving up all of the heavens and earth. King Bali, in an attempt to cement his place as the ruler of all Three Worlds (i.e. the Universe), performed a series of grand yajnas (prayers/sacrifice). The Gods feared that this would cause evil to stalk the Universe, so they prayed to Mahavishnu to assist them. On King Bali’s last yajna, Vamana a small brahmana boy appeared. The King was delighted to be graced by the presence of such a holy being, and offered Vamana anything that he wished for. Vamana asked for a piece of land only three paces wide and Bali laughs at the proposal, highlighting the great wealth and land that he owns. However he nonetheless agrees to this wish, against Asuraguru Sukracharya’s warning that Vamana is in fact the avatar of Mahavishnu who has come once again t
