A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.188

c5.188

5. Vāmana. ‘The dwarf.’ The origin of this incarnation is “the three strides of Vishnu,” spoken of in the Rig-veda, as before explained. In the Tretā-yuga, or second age, the Daitya king Bali had, by his devotions and austerities, acquired the dominion of the three worlds, and the gods were shorn of their power and dignity. To remedy this, Vishnu was born as a diminutive son of Kasyapa and Aditi. The dwarf appeared before Bali, and begged of him as much land as he could step over in three paces. The generous monarch complied with the request. Vishnu took two strides over heaven and earth; but respecting the virtues of Bali, he then stopped, leaving the dominion of Pātāla, or the infernal regions, to Bali.