Three Steps — A Journey Closer to the Divine

Children! In Sanatana Dharma, Lord Vishnu holds a very special place. Whenever Dharma is disturbed in the world, He takes different incarnations to protect Dharma and restore balance and order. Well-known divine incarnations of Lord Vishnu include Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Sri Rama, and Sri Krishna. Vamana Avatar is one of these divine incarnations.

Long ago, a great king named Bali lived. He was the grandson of Prahlada Maharaja and the son of Virochana. Prahlada was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. As the grandson of such a great devotee, Bali also possessed many admirable qualities. He was courageous, powerful, and generous. He never disappointed anyone who approached him seeking help. Through performing Yajnas and giving generously in charity, he earned a good reputation among the people.

King Bali fought many battles and defeated the Devas through his strength and valor. He established his authority over the earth, the atmosphere, and the heavenly realms. Indra lost his position, and the Devas were distressed after losing their places. Bali’s victories reflected his great power and valor. However, along with his successes, a small change gradually began to take place in his mind. The thought, “I have achieved so much. Who is powerful enough to stand against me?” slowly developed into pride.

Bali was not an evil person. He possessed many great qualities. But no matter how great a person may be, when they begin to measure their achievements as their own greatness, pride can enter their heart. The same thing happened in Bali’s life.

The Devas prayed to Lord Vishnu to help them regain their positions. Aditi, the mother of the Devas, also prayed to the Lord for her sons' well-being. Pleased with her devotion, Lord Vishnu blessed her, saying, “I will be born as your son.”

Time passed. Lord Vishnu was born as Vamana to Aditi and Maharishi Kashyapa. Although He appeared as a young Brahmachari, a divine radiance shone from His face. Carrying a Kamandalu and an umbrella, Vamana set out on His journey.

At the same time, King Bali was performing a great Yajna. The Yajna Hall echoed with Vedic mantra chanting. Bali had resolved to give charity to everyone who came to the Yajna, as much as he could. He was also eager to further strengthen his reputation as a generous king.

Just then, young Vamana entered the Yajna Hall. Seeing the divine radiance on the young Brahmachari's face, King Bali respectfully welcomed him. “Swami! Please ask for whatever you desire. I will certainly fulfill your wish,” said Bali. Vamana calmly replied, “Maharaja! I do not need anything great. Please give me only as much land as I can measure with three steps.”

King Bali was surprised. “Only three steps of land? I have such a vast kingdom and so much wealth. If you wish, I can give you much more. Why do you ask for such a small thing?” he asked. Bali’s words showed not only his greatness and generosity, but also a small amount of pride. He had begun to feel, “There is nothing that I cannot give.” Vamana, however, did not change His request. King Bali then said, “Very well. I will give you as much land as you can measure in three steps,” and gave His word.

Shukracharya, who was present, realized that this young Brahmachari was no ordinary person. He understood that Lord Vishnu Himself had come as Vamana. Bali! Think carefully. This young boy is not an ordinary person. The gift you are about to give may put you in a situation where you could lose your entire kingdom,” he warned. But Bali did not take back his promise. “Gurudeva! I have given my word. I do not wish to send anyone who comes to me seeking something away empty-handed. I will not go back on my promise,” said Bali.

Thus, Bali kept his word.

As soon as Bali was ready to offer the donation, Vamana revealed His divine form. In an instant, the small Vamana transformed into the magnificent Trivikrama, whose form reached the heavens. With His first step, He covered the earth. With His second step, He covered the entire space and the heavenly realms. In just two steps, the Lord’s feet encompassed everything under King Bali's authority.

Then Trivikrama looked at Bali and asked: “Bali! With my first two steps, I have measured everything that needs measuring. Where shall I place my third step? “King Bali completely understood what had happened. His kingdom was gone. His wealth was gone. His authority was gone. But one thing remained in his hands—the promise he had given.

Joining his hands, he said:

“Lord! I have given my word. The only thing I have left is my body. Please place Your third step upon my head. Saying this, he bowed his head and surrendered himself at the Lord's feet. At that moment, Bali surrendered not only his kingdom, but also the pride of “I” within himself at the feet of the Lord.

Pleased with King Bali’s generosity, his commitment to his word, and ultimately his devotion and complete surrender, Lord Vishnu did not destroy him. Instead, He blessed Bali with Sutala Loka, which is described as a magnificent and prosperous realm.

The Lord also granted Bali the blessing that he would attain the position of Indra in the future Savarni Manvantara.

There was an even greater blessing. Lord Vishnu Himself agreed to remain with Bali in Sutala Loka to protect him. In the devotional tradition, this is described as the Lord Himself becoming Bali’s doorkeeper.

Children, think about this for a moment.

Lord Vishnu is the Lord of the entire creation. He is the Supreme Lord of countless worlds and the Lord of the Devas. How extraordinary it is that such a Supreme Lord chose to stand as a doorkeeper for His devotee!

In the world, even when we gain a small position of authority, we sometimes look down on those around us. Even a little wealth, fame, or success can make us proud.

But the Lord of the entire creation did not hesitate to serve His devotee.

Therefore, Vamana Jayanti teaches us a great truth: the more we reduce our pride, the closer we come to the Divine.

Bali did not attain the Lord merely when he lost his kingdom and wealth. He truly found the Lord when he finally surrendered his sense of “I”.

Therefore, children, we should strive to grow in life. Like Bali, we should develop courage, strength, and generosity. We should keep the promises we make. But we must also be careful not to allow our achievements to make us proud.

If we receive good marks, we should not look down upon others. If we have talent, we should use it to benefit others. If we have wealth, we should share it with those in need. If we receive authority, we should act responsibly rather than with pride.

What truly makes a person great is not merely the power or position they receive, but the humility they retain even after gaining it.

The three steps of Vamana should also become three steps in our own lives:

First Step — Recognize the pride within us.

Second Step — Share what we have in a righteous and responsible way.

Third Step — Surrender our sense of “I” at the Lord's feet.

Then we will understand an important truth:

The distance between the Divine and us is created by our own ego.

When we remove that ego and make a place for the Divine in our hearts, even the Lord of all the worlds comes very close to us.

This is the great message that the story of King Bali gives us:

It is good to grow into a great person.

It is even greater to give up the pride of thinking, “I am great.”

When we surrender our heart to the Divine, Bali's life shows us how close the Lord can become to us.

Sri Vamanaya Namah.

Sri Trivikramaya Namah.

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