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The DASAVATHARAM series

Vamana Avathar – The Dwarf Incarnation

Balimakabandhana vithathamathe, paadhaa dhvayakrithalokhakrithe |

Patubatuvesha manogya namo, harabhaktham the paripalaya maam ||

Lord Vishnu's fifth incarnation was Vamana meaning - dwarf.

The Purana (Mythological story about the avathar)

Once upon a time, Emperor Mahabali ruled over the Pathala-loka (under-world). Instead of being confined to his loka, he captured other lokas and was ruling over them as well. The Gods from other lokas implored Lord Vishnu to put Mahabali in his place.

Once Mahabali was performing a big "yaga" (offering things in a sacrificial fire) and at the end of the yaga was giving away gold and other things in charity. Whoever went to the palace on that day could ask what ever they wished for and the king would certainly oblige them.

God seized this opportunity and came to Mahabali's palace as a dwarf-mendicant. The dwarf asked the King for just 3 foot-measure of land for himself. The king agreed and asked the dwarf to measure the land with his feet. Ho! The God assumed gigantic proportions with his head reaching up to the sky - the highest world above and his feet down at Pathala-loka the lowest of the worlds below the earth. God took one step and that covered all the worlds above, His second step covered all the worlds below and there was no place left for His third foot measure. God asked king Mahabali - "I have taken two steps and have covered all the lokas. Now, tell me where I should keep my foot for the third foot-measure."

Mahabali, realizing that the dwarf was none other than God himself bowed before the dwarf and said "Please my lord, you may keep your foot over my head as the third measure." Accordingly God put his foot on Mahabali's head and pressed hard to push the King to 'Pathalaloka' and told him "O king! This is where you belong and you should confine your self to this loka only." Mahabali realized his folly and ruled over Pathala-loka for a long time.

This avathar was to show people that they should live in their own places and should not be greedy to occupy other's lands.

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