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Hindu Gods > Vamanavataram - Maha
Vishnu in the form of a dwarf  Bali,
the powerful asura king who was the great grandson of Hiranyakasibu had conquered
the three worlds, but in spite of being an asura, he ruled his land and people
with justice.
Even though Bali was just, Indralogam had to be returned to
the Devas, who felt humiliated at the loss of their kingdom. Lord Vishnu could
not fight so virtuous a king, and therefore he took the guise of a Brahmin boy.
Bali was performing a yagna and for the success of the yagna he had to
provide anything that a brahmin seeks. Lord Vishnu in his Vamanavataram begged
for just three feet of land. This request was considered funny, for three steps
of Vamana's feet would measure upto a very small piece of land only. Bali humbly
requested him to ask for something better which he would grant. But Vamana insisted
on his three feet of land. To the astonishment of all present, Lord Vishnu as
Vamana began to grow to a great height and with one step he covered the whole
earth, with his second step he covered the entire sky and region above. With the
entire universe covered, Bali had no more land to offer. He bowed down in front
of the Lord & offered his head for the third step. Lord Vishnu had thus regained
the power from the asura king. Being extremely pleased with the virtuosity of
an asura king, he placed his foot on his head and sent him to rule over the lower
regions.
Vishnu is worshipped as Trivikramar or Ulagalanda Perumal. There
are shrines to this avataram of Vishnu at Tirukkoyilur in South Arcot district
(Trivikramar) and at Kanchi (Ulagalanda Perumal).
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