Fifth Avatar of Vishnu - Vamana (The Dwarf) by ScanHinduHeritage

Last crawled date: 3 years, 4 months ago

Vamana (IAST: Vāmana, lit. dwarf) also known as Vāmanadeva ('dwarf-god'), Trivikrama ('having three steps’) Originating in the Vedas, Vamana is most commonly associated with the legend of taking back the three worlds (collectively referred to as the Triloka) from the Asura-king Bali in three steps to give back to Indra the king of the Gods. Vamana is instantly recognizable with the short frame carrying a wooden umbrella. Sculptures may depict him as a deformed dwarf or as a brahmacharin (monastic student), dressed in the deerskin, loincloth, and sacred thread of the student with the students tufted hair.
In the Rigveda, Vishnu took three strides, with which he measured out the three worlds: earth, heaven, and the space between them. In later mythology, the dwarf Vamana made his appearance when the demon king Bali ruled the entire universe and the gods had lost their power. One day Vamana visited the court of Bali and begged of him as much land as he could step over in three paces. The king laughingly granted the request. Assuming a gigantic form, Vamana with one step covered the whole earth, and with the second step the midworld between earth and heaven. As there was nowhere left to go, the demon king lowered his head and suggested Vamana place his foot on it for the promised third step. Vamana was pleased, and with the pressure of his foot sent Bali down below to rule the netherworld. Vishnu in this form is often identified as Trivikrama (“God of the Three Strides”).
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Vamana