Donation for the Dwarf

Chapter 18, 19, 20

Vamanadeva journeyed to Bali Maharaja’s sacrificial arena and appeared in the assembly looking like a young, innocent brahmacari. The priests fittingly received Him, while Bali Maharaja humbly washed His feet. Stunned by His beauty and effulgence, Bali openheartedly offered Him any charity He desired.

Vamanadeva glorified Bali Maharaja’s generosity, which was in keeping with his family tradition. After all, great personalities like Prahlada Maharaja had appeared in this lineage. The Dwarf incarnation then made His request for a mere three steps of land. Bali Maharaja encouraged Him to ask for more, while Sukracarya vehemently warned his disciple not to give even an inch! The spiritual master of the demons was well aware of the Lord’s ingenious plan, which would strip Bali Maharaja of everything and reinstate the demigods into power. He deviously suggested a get-out clause to save the day.

Uninterested and undeterred, Bali Maharaja rejected Sukracarya and readily agreed to Vamanadeva’s request, seeing it as his duty and religion to wholeheartedly offer charity to a brahmana. How could he retract his promise? When Bali Maharaja agreed to His request, Vamanadeva miraculously expanded Himself and Bali witnessed the entire creation resting within His body.

With His first step, the Lord effortlessly covered the entire surface of the world, and by extending His body further, He covered the entire sky. With His hands He covered all directions. Then, with His second footstep, He covered the entire upper planetary system. Having comprehensively occupied everything in creation, the question remained as to where the Lord would place His third step.