The tale of the birth of Lord Vamana, the fifth incarnation
of Srihari Vishnu, is a captivating saga steeped in divine intervention and
cosmic balance. Known as Vamanavatara or Vaman Avatar, it recounts the pivotal
moment when Lord Vishnu manifested as a diminutive Brahmin before the
formidable King Bali, altering the course of destiny for both gods and demons.
Amidst the tumultuous struggle for power between the Devatas
(celestial beings) and the dauntless Balichakravarthi (King Bali), Aditi, the
mother of the Devatas, beseeched Sage Kashyapa for a divine progeny capable of
restoring supremacy to the celestial realm.
King Bali, in his relentless pursuit of Indra's throne,
embarked on his 100th Ashwamedha Yagna, a pivotal ritual that could grant him
sovereignty over the heavens. With 99 yagnas already completed, Bali stood on
the brink of usurping the coveted position of Devendra, the current lord of the
Devas.
Responding to Aditi's plea, Sage Kashyapa prescribed a
rigorous penance known as the Payovratha, which Aditi dutifully observed for a
year with unwavering devotion and asceticism. Through her profound spiritual
practice, Aditi gave birth to Vamana, the embodiment of wisdom, devotion, and
renunciation, on the auspicious day of Bhadrapada Shudda Dwadashi, under the
guiding influence of the Shravana Nakshatra, and amidst the Abhijin Muhoortha.
This momentous occasion, marked by Vijaya Tithi, heralded the dawn of a new
era.
Even at his birth, Vamana bore the divine insignia of four
arms adorned with the symbols of Lord Vishnu - the conch, discus, mace, and
lotus. His complexion resembled the hue of dark clouds, and he bore the sacred
mark of Srivatsa upon his chest.
In accordance with ancient customs, Aditi and Kashyapa
performed the sacred rites of Jatakarma Samskara, while the radiant sun, Surya,
imparted the sacred Gayatri Mantra unto the newborn. Under the guidance of
revered sages and deities, Vamana received the sacred thread (Yagnopaveeta),
the sacrificial grass (darba), the deer skin (Krishnajina), and other divine
gifts symbolizing his spiritual lineage and destiny.
Following his Upanayana ceremony, Vamana embarked on a
momentous journey to the sacred Yagna Shaale of Bali Chakravarthi, situated in
the hallowed precincts of Brukukutsa Kshetra, along the northern banks of the
Narmada River.
Upon encountering the youthful ascetic form of Vamana, King
Bali reverentially performed the ritualistic washing of his feet (paadapooja)
and eagerly inquired about his desires - whether land, wealth, sustenance,
marriage, or royal paraphernalia.
To Bali's astonishment, Vamana humbly requested only three
paces of land. Puzzled by this seemingly modest request, Bali acquiesced,
unaware of the profound implications.
With his first stride, Vamana traversed the entire expanse
of the Earth, while his second step spanned the vast reaches of the celestial
realm, leaving no space unclaimed. Faced with the dilemma of fulfilling his
promise, Bali magnanimously offered his own head as the resting place for
Vamana's final step.
Thus, through the divine play of Lord Vamana, the balance of
power was restored, and the lost dominions of the Devas were reclaimed,
ushering in an era of harmony and divine order.