Hare Krsna
Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Srimad Narayaneeyam describes the past times of Vamana-avatara, as follows:
· The Asura King Bali was killed in the battle by Indra, but his body was revived by Shukraachaarya. By performing the Vishwajit Sacrifice he grew in prowess and being a descendent of Prahlaad, he was not afraid of anyone. So Devas had to flee in fear of the victorious Bali who conquered the three worlds where the Devas had hid themselves.
· Aditi ( Mother of the Devas) was very much tormented on seeing the plight of her sons the Devas. She approached her husband Kaashyapa Rishi for help. He advised her to observe the Payovrata worship unto Maha-Vishnu. She performed it for twelve days with full devotion to Bhagavan.
· At the end of the worship, Maha-Vishnu with four arms and blue complexion appeared in front of her whose mind was fixed on Bhagavan.There , at that moment, when she was bowing to Bhagavan, He told her that He would be born as her son. Bhagavan also charged her to let the meeting be a secret and then He disappeared.
· Then placing Himself in Kaashyapa's austerity bourn seed, Vishnu entered into Aditi's womb. Praised by Brahmaa Bhagavan Vishnu delivered as a divine child with evident marks of Vishnu's glory, on the auspicious day of the confluence of Dvaadashi and Shraavana Nakshatra.
· The Devas in great joy were showering flowers on that hermitage where Bhagavan was born and were blowing trumpets. Thy Parents were praising the new-born ( Vamana) with folded hands, just then Vishnu took on the form of a talented handsome Brahmachaarin.
· Kaashyapa Prajaapati and others adorned Bhagavan with the sacred thread, staff, deer skin, and a garland of beads. O Lord! Being conferred upon, and worshipped, Bhagavan performed the rites with the sacred fire and with His resplendent form departed for the house of Bali where the Ashvamedha Yanjya was being performed.
· As Vamana marched forth, Thy body's weight shook the earth, indicating the subsequent manifestation of the might befitting the majesty. Vamana held an umbrella as if to ward off the heat of the aggressiveness of all opponents, and carried a staff as though to apply it on the Asura people.
· Vamana reached the venue of the Ashvamedha Yanjya on the northern bank of the Narmadaa river. By Vamana’s brilliance the eyes of Shukra and others were dazzeled and they wondered if it was the Sun or Agni or the Sage Sanat Kumaara, who was He?
· Bhrigu and others who were overwhelmed by Vamana’s majestic charm received Him quickly. The thrilled Asura Bali, with devotion, approached the charming Rishi. Asura Bali, who had done noble deeds, washed Vamana’s feet and sprinkled that holiest of the holy waters on his head.
· The son of Diti, the Asura Bali, was very fortunate, by the glory of being born in the line of Prahlaad, or by having performed sacrifices, or by his faith in and service to holy men, to get this holy water from Bhagavan’s feet. O Lord! This water is meant to sanctify Shiva's head. O Bhagavan ! Who resides in Guruvaayur! please protect me.
· Impressed on seeing Vamana’s glorious majestic sight, the Asura Bali honoured and worshipped Bhagavan in every way. He said with folded palms 'What do You desire from me? O Braahmin boy, you say, is it wealth, food, house or land or everything. I shall give you all.'
· On hearing those bold words of Bali, though filled with compassion Vamana was desirous of curbing his pride. Speaking highly of the generosity of the Asura clan, Vamana asked for earth measureable by His three steps. To ask for all, would have invited sneer from everyone.
· To me Maha-Bali, who is the lord of all the three worlds how do You ask for mere three paces of earth? You simpleton! Of what use is this? Ask for the whole earth.' Thus Bali proudly told Vamana. Because of this pride he failed to give fully even three paces of earth and invited ridicule and bondage. Bali did not deserve it but he was subjected to all this for acquiring complete detachment.
· Bestower of Boons! When Bhagavan told him that He who is not satisfied with three steps of land will not be satisfied even by the three worlds, Bali was about to pour the pre-gift oblation water to Vamana. To test Bali's integrity, and so by Vamana prompting the Guru of Asuras, Shukraachaarya, told him clearly to refrain from giving the gift since the Rishi was Hari.
· Bali firmly said that he would consider himself blessed if the Lord himself comes begging to him thus, and so he would certainly make the gift. For such a disobedience Kaavya, (Shukraachaarya) cursed him. Then, to Vamana whose feet had already been washed by the waters poured by Bali's wife Vindhyaavali, he proceeded to offer everything with the pouring of the water. How wonderful!
· When the Asura king Bali, without any doubt and hesitation offered and gave to Vamana everything, the sages and the Devas shed a rain of flowers. As all the inhabitants of the three worlds looked on, that divine form of Bhagavan as Vaamana, increased higher and higher extending to the dimension of the cosmic sphere.
· As the tip of Vamana’s feet reached its own realm, the Satyalok, Brahmaa washed the foot with the water from his kamandalu-jug. That water, which became Aakaash Ganga, purified all the worlds. The Gandharvaas danced and danced in ecstasy. On this auspicious occasion the great devotee Jaambavaan went around the world beating the drum.
· Lord! The Asuras started to fight with the Devas without their master Bali's permission. They were defeated by Bhagavan’s emissaries who had come there and were fighting on the Deva's side. Bali told them that the Lord in the form of Time was standing before them by whose grace they had won earlier, and was now against them. So it was no use to fight. At this the Asuras went away to Paataala.
· Garuda, Bhagavan’s attendent had tied Bali with ropes by this time. Vamana asked Bali loudly, 'Show me the place for my third step. Are you not the lord of the three worlds?' Without any hesitation Bali requested Vamana to place Thy foot on his head to measure the third step. Prahlaad himself appeared by Bali's side, praised him and sang hymns of praises to Vamana.
· "O Asura! In order to curb your pride completely, all this was done. You are blessed by your many good deeds. You will rule your region Sutala, which will be superior even to heaven. Later, in the next Manvantra you will become Indra and ultimately you will attain union with Me." Blessing Bali thus, Vamana had the priests complete the great Vishwajit Yanjya. O Lord of Guruvaayur! protect me.
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