Prahlada's grandson Mahabali came to power by
defeating the gods (Devas), and taking over the three worlds. According to Vaishnavism mythology, the defeated Devas approached Vishnu for help in
their battle with Mahabali. Vishnu refused to join the gods in
violence against Mahabali, because Mahabali was a good ruler and his own devotee.
He, instead, decided to test Mahabali's devotion at an opportune moment.
Mahabali, after his victory over the gods, declared that he will perform Yajna (homa
sacrifices) and grant anyone any request during the Yajna.
Vishnu took the Vamana avatar of a
dwarf Brahmin
boy carrying a wooden umbrella,
and approached Mahabali. The king
offered anything to the boy – gold, cows, elephants, villages, food, whatever
he wished. The boy said that one must not seek more than one needs, and all he
needs is the property right over a piece of land that measures "three
paces". Mahabali agreed against the warning of his guru, Shukracharya ,thinking of the limitations of the space of his foot. The
Vamana grew gigantic proportions and covered everything Mahabali ruled over in
just two paces. He stepped from heaven to earth with the first step, from earth
to the netherworld with the second. King Mahabali, unable to fulfill his
promise, for the third pace, Mahabali offered himself to the Vamana.
The festival of Onam for some is related to this return of Mahabali to a
visit to earth once every year in August-September. Some texts state that
Vamana gave the lordship of the netherworld to Bali.
In giant form, Vamana is known as Trivikrama.
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