Vamana (Vishnu) and Bali (Mahabali) story (correct) (true) (As per Purana) | What did Vamana do to Mahabali?
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Just before moving towards to know about “Vamana (Vishnu) and Bali (Mahabali) story (correct) (true) (As per Purana) | What did Vamana do to Mahabali?“, let us know a brief, basic and very important information.
Vamana parents names are : Maharshi Kashyapa (father) and Aditi (mother). | Vamana consort name is : Kirti (‘Fame’) or Padma or Kamala (Lakshmi avatar). | Vamana children (son) name is : Brhatsloka (‘Great Praise’) | Vamana siblings (brothers) names are : Vivasvān, Aryamā, Pūṣā, Tvaṣṭā, Savitā, Bhaga, Dhātā, Vidhātā, Varuṇa, Mitra, Indra
Vamana abode is : Vaikuntha and Sutala. | Vamana symbols (holds) : Kamandala and umbrella. | Vamana festivals are : Balipratipada (Balipadyami – Deepavali / Diwali) and Vamana Dvadashi. | Vamana mantra is : Om Trivikramaya vidmahe Vishvarupaya cha dhimahi Tanno Vamana prachodayat.
Bali (Mahabali) parents names are : Virochana (father), Vishalakshi (mother). | Bali (Mahabali) consort (wife) name is : Vindhyavalli (Ashrama). | Bali (Mahabali) children (sons) names are : Banasura, Ratnamala, and Vajrajwala. | Bali (Mahabali) Guru name is : Shukracharya (Rakshasas / Demon Guru).
Information about “Vamana (Vishnu) and Bali (Mahabali) story | What did Vamana do to Mahabali?” is as given below:
There was a demon named Bali who was descended from the Rakshasa (Demon) King Hiranyakashipu family. [Bali name should be pronounced as बली (balī) and not as Baali (बाली) (bālī)]. Extremely strong, he defeated the Devatas (Demigods) and drove them out of Svarga Lokam (Heaven).
The mother of all the Devatas (Demigods) is Sri Aditi Devi (Goddess) and this woman was never wanted that her sons should suffer at the hands of rakshasas / demons.
Sri Aditi Devi (Goddesss) therefore began to pray to Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu, so that she might have a powerful son who would provide a befitting reply to the rakshasas / demons, particularly to Bali Chakravarti (Mahabali).
For a thousand years the great Sri Aditi Devi (Goddess) did the tapas (penance). Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu was pleased at her prayers and appeared before Sri Aditi Devi (Goddess). “What boon do you wish for?” Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu asked to Aditi (Goddess).
“The rakshasas (demons) are oppressing my children,” replied Aditi Devi (Goddess). “Please grant me a son who will defeat all the demons.”
“Do not despair,” said Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu. “I myself will be born as your son. I will take care of all the Rakshasas (demons).”
We should note the husband of Sri Aditi Devi (Goddess) is Maharshi Kashyapa. Maharshi Kashyapa and Sri Aditi Devi (Goddess) accordingly had a son. This son was a dwarf (means Vamana in Sanskrit, Vamana means a dwarf personality).
Bali Chakravarti (Mahabali) happened to organize a Yajna and the dwarf sized Bhagavan Lord Sri Vamana (An avatar of Lord Sri Vishnu) came to attend the ceremony. On the occasion of the Yajna, Bali Chakravarti (Mahabali) had decided that he would not refuse anyone what they asked for.
Shukracharya (Guru of rakshasas / demons) was the preceptor of the rakshasas / demons and naturally, he was Bali Chakravarti’s (Mahabali) Guru as well. Shukracharya saw through the trickery that was involved and realized that the dwarf was none other than Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu himself.
Guru Shukracharya tried to put Bali (Mahabali) on his guard, and warned Bali (Mahabali) that he should not grant what the dwarf asked for. But Bali (Mahabali) was a great ‘Dharmatma’ (follower of Dharma) and thus he would not listen.
“Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu is the Supreme Lord and he is the Lord of everything.” Bali (Mahabali) said. “I am indeed fortunate if Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu has come to grace my ceremony in the disguise of a dwarf. How can I refuse what he asks for?”
Bali (Mahabali) welcomed the dwarf with offerings. “What is your desire?” Bali (Mahabali) asked. “I am duty bound to give you what you ask for.”
“I desire nothing much,” replied the dwarf (Lord Vamana). “I do not want gold or riches or elephants or horses. All that I ask for is as much of land as can be covered in three of my footsteps.”
“Granted,” said Bail (Mahabali). No sooner were the words uttered that the dwarf assumed a gigantic form. His head rose way up into the sky and easily touched the Satya Loka (Lord Sri Brahma Deva’s planet).
Bhagavan Lord Sri Vamana’s first step covered all the higher planets, the second step covered all the earth and lover planets. Thus, Bhagavan Lord Sri Vamana asked Bali (Mahabali) where should he keep his third leg as the vast ‘raajyam’ (kingdom) of Bali (Mahabali) has been completely covered by the first two steps itself.
Thus, as far as the third step is concerned, Bali (Mahabali) requested Bhagavan Lord Sri Vamana to keep on his head, so that Bali (Mahabali) will complete the wish request of the Bhagavan Lord Sri Vamana.
Finally, Bhagavan Lord Sri Vamana keeps his third leg on the Bali’s (Mahabali) head and pushes him into the Sutala Loka (An underworld planet).
Even today Bali (Mahabali) is still there in Sutala Loka with the blessings of Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu (Vamana) and is the king of that Sutala Loka. Bali (Mahabali) will be the next Lord Sri Indra Deva in the coming Manvantara.
During the Deepavali (Diwali) time we celebrate the Balipadyami on account in the name of Bali Chakravarti (Mahabali). This is the greatness of Lord Sri Vishnu (Vamana). Lord Sri Vishnu gives everything to his Bhakta / devotee, even though he may be a rakshasa / demon.
PS: Many people think that Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu didn’t do justice to Bali Charkravarti (Mahabali), which is a completely ignorant stance. Thus, we should read the full Purana to understand this.
Earlier during the ‘Samudra Manthana’ (Amrit Manthan) (Churning of Ocean), same Bali Chakravarti (Mahabali) was the king of the rakshasas / demons and was first to do all the adharma karyas (works against the dharma). Liberal people complete forget this.
Same Bali Chakravarti (Mahabali) has caused huge problems to Devatas (Demigods) and also to humans on the earth. Liberal people easily forget this.
But still he was a Bhakta / devotee of Bhagavan Lord Sri Vishnu and was also the grand son of the “Great Devotee of Lord Sri Vishnu (Narasimha), that is, Prahlada Maharaja”.
Thus Bali Chakravarti (Mahabali) was sent to Sutala Loka (An underworld planet) and was also made the king of the same Sutala Loka. Because of his great works, Bali Chakravarti (Mahabali) will be the Lord Sri Indra Deva in the coming (next) Manvantara.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) with answers about Vamana and Bali (Mahabali) story is as given below:
Which god avatar is Bali – Bali or Mahabali or Bali Chakravarti is not God or Demigod, but he belongs to a Rakshasa (demon) family of the King Hiranyakashipu (Hiranyakashyap). Bali or Mahabali is also the grandson of Prahlada, a great devotee of Lord Sri Vishnu.
Vamana avatar in which Yuga : Vamana avatar took place in the Satya Yuga (Also called as Satya Yuga or Krita Yuga or Kruta Yuga). During the present Vaivasvata manvantara in Bhadrapada month, Shukla Paksha (Waxing of Moon) on Dwadashi (12th day), when Shravana Nakshatra was there.
Why Vamana killed Bali : Vamana didn’t killed Bali (Mahabali), but instead Vamana took the form of Trivikrama and pushed Bali (Mahabali) to an underworld called Sutala Loka. Even today Bali (Mahabali) is the King of that Sutala Loka and Lord Vamana (Trivikrama) is guarding Bali (Mahabali) in Sutala Loka.
What was the purpose of Vamana avatar : The main purpose of Vamana avatar is to teach Bali (Mahabali) even though he was a great devotee of Lord Sri Vishnu, but the people around Bali (Mahabali) were demonic minded.
For this reason Lord Sri Vishnu in his avatar of Lord Sri Vamana or Lord Sri Trivikrama didn’t killed Bali (Mahabali), but instead pushed him in an underworld called Sutala Loka.
Vamana avatar meaning : To understand this, let us consider few slokas as given here – वामन: वामानि सुंदरवस्तूनि नयतीति । ವಾಮನ: ವಾಮಾನಿ ಸುಂದರವಸ್ತೂನಿ ನಯತೀತಿ | vāmanah Vāmāni sundaravastūni nayatīti | – Vishnu is called as “Vamana” as he brings and leads to beautiful things in life (To his devotees).
वामन: वामं शत्रुं तमो नयतीति । ವಾಮನ: ವಾಮಂ ಶತ್ರುಂ ತಮೋ ನಯತೀತಿ | vāmanah vāmaṁ śatruṁ tamō nayatīti | – Vishnu is called as “Vamana” because he sends his enemies to the tamas (तमस्) (To dangerous Hells).
वाम: अभिष्टं जातं नयति इति वामन: | ವಾಮ: ಅಭೀಷ್ಟಂ ಜಾತಂ ನಯತಿ ಇತಿ ವಾಮನ: | vāmah abhīṣṭaṁ jātaṁ nayati iti vāmanah – Here, वाम: (vāmah) means anything desired or agreeable. Thus, someone who fulfills the desires or agreeable things is called as Vamana.
वामन: सौंदर्यं वक्रत्वं च नयतीति | ವಾಮನ: ಸೌಂದರ್ಯಂ ವಕ್ರತ್ವಂ ಚ ನಯತೀತಿ | vāmanah saundaryaṁ vakratvaṁ ca nayatīti | – Vishnu is called as “Vamana” as he brings beauty (to his devotees) as well as the ugliness (to his enemies) as per their Karmas (Good and bad Karmas).
वामं कल्याणं नयति भक्तानिति वामन: | ವಾಮಂ ಕಲ್ಯಾಣಂ ನಯತಿ ಭಕ್ತಾನಿತಿ ವಾಮನ: | vāmaṁ kalyāṇaṁ nayati bhaktāniti vāmana: | – Lord Sri Vishnu is called as Vamana as he brings all auspiciousness to his devotees.
वामन: बलिगंधनार्थं सूक्ष्मस्वरूपधारणात् | ವಾಮನ: ಬಲಿಗಂಧನಾರ್ಥಂ ಸೂಕ್ಷ್ಮಸ್ವರೂಪಧಾರಣಾತ್ | vāmanah baligandhanārthaṁ sūkṣmasvarūpadhāraṇāt | – Lord Sri Vishnu is called as Vamana as he controlled Bali (Mahabali) by taking the dwarf form and as well as virat roopa (gigantic form). Here dwarf form is of the Vamana and Virat Roopa (gigantic form) is of the Trivikrama.
Where did Lord Sri Vishnu took the avatar (incarnation) as Lord Vamana? : A place called as Brukukutsa Kshetra (ब्रुकुकुत्स क्षेत्र) (brukukutsa kṣētra) near Narmada river (Today’s exact place near Narmada river is unknown).
What was the background for Vamana avatar? : Bali Chakravarti or Bali or Mahabali was Prahlad’s grandson had took control of Lord Indra’s Swarga Loka (Heaven) and thus Lord Indra had lost his power as the King of Swarga Loka. Thus, Lord Indra went to Lord Sri Vishnu to regain his strength from Bali (Mahabali).
At the same time, Aditi (the mother of all Devatas / Demigods) performed the tapas (penance) of Lord Sri Vishnu seeking an incarnation of Lord Sri Vishnu as her son. Aditi performed a vow (vrata) (vrat) called ‘Payovrata’ to get Lord Sri Vishnu as her son. Pleased by her vrat (vrata), Lord Sri Vishnu took the incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vamana.
How Vamana went to Bali (Mahabali)? : Bali or Mahabali was performing Ashwamedha Yajna to become the eternal king of Indra Loka (Swarga Loka). At that time, Lord Sri Vishnu came there as a five-year celibate (Brahmachari) with an Upaveeta and Uttareeya made of Krishnanjina with a beautiful and smiling face.
(Here Upaveeta means – A Brahmin boy with the sacred thread (Yagnopaveetham or Janeu). Uttareeya means – Typical Hindu upper garment.)
Does Bali (Mahabali) was a demonic kind of person : Although Bali (Mahabali) was born in a rakshasa (demon) family, he was a ‘sattvik jeevi’ (follower of dharma).
According to Hindu scriptures he had the ‘asuravesha’ (presence of demonic nature) which enabled him to usurp Lord Indra’s kingdom. When Lord Vamana came there he made an offering of everything he had. Before that Bali (Mahabali) expressed his aham (ego).
Who tried to prevent Bali (Mahabali) from giving donation to Vamana? : Guru Shukracharya, the master of Asuras (demons) (including Bali or Mahabali, tried to stop Bali or Mahabali from giving donation to Lord Vamana.
What happened when Vamana spread (showed) his Virat form : When Lord Vamana spread his lotus foot, the edge of the boundary of the universe broke. By the touch of his lotus foot Goddess Ganga flowed from Swarga Loka (Heaven) and it came down to Bhuloka (Earth).
Why Lord Sri Vishnu incarnated as Vamana : Bali (Mahabali) was performing the 100th Ashwamedha Yajna in his thirst to become the king of Indra Loka (Swarga Loka). Before this he had already completed 99.
Had King Bali (Mahabali) completed the 100th Yajna, he would have qualified for the post of Devendra (Lord Indra), i.e. King of Indra Loka (Heavenly World). Present Lord Indra’s name is called as Purandara.
When all the Devatas (Demigods) had lost their powers due to Bali (Mahabali), Aditi (Goddess) the mother of all the Devatas (Demigods) requested Maharishi (Sage) Kashyapa to get a son so that the same son would bring back all the powers of Devatas (Demigods).
Kashyapa Maharshi asked Aditi (Goddess) to do ‘payovrata’ for a year, which she successfully did. As a result of her Jnana (Knowledge), Bhakti (Devotion), Vairagya (disinclination against material things) Lord Vamana was born on the Shukla Paksha (Waxing of Moon) Dwadashi (12th day) of Bhadrapada month of Shravana Nakshatra and at Abhijin Muhurta (Muhurat).
This particular Dwadashi (12th day) is also known as Vijaya Tithi. Due to the glory of the Vrata (Vrat), Aditi Devi was blessed with the darshanam (divine glimpse) of Lord Sri Vishnu and he was blessed her to become the mother of Lord Vamana.
How Vamana appeared after his incarnation : During avatar (incarnation), Lord Vamana had Chaturbhuja (four arms), Shankha (conch), Chakra (disc), Gada (mace) and Padma (lotus flower).
He also had ‘Neela Meghasyama’ (blue colored body) and Srivatsa Lanchana (mark of Goddess Lakshmi Devi). It proves that He is omnipotent, He has no birth. After the manifestation of Lord Vamana, both Maharshi Kashyapa and Aditi did the Jatakarma Sanskars (birth rituals).
Lord Surya gave the Gayatri Mantra. Brihaspati gave Yagnopaveetham (Janeu / Sacred thread). Maharshi Kashyapa gave the belly thread (darba / grass). Bhudevi (Mother Earth) gave the Krishnajina. Lord Chandra Palasha. Aditi gave Kaupina (lower body clothes).
Lord Brahma gave Kamandala. Saptarishi gave darba (grass). Goddess Saraswati gave aksharamala. Lord Kubera gave Bhiksha Patra (pot for alms). Goddess Annapurna gave first bhiksha (alms).
Lord Vamana got the upanayanam (wearing of Janeu / Sacred thread) and later did the ‘agni karya’ (rituals related to fire) and after this Lord Vamana went to Bali’s (Mahabali) Yagnashala (place where Yagna is performed) in the field of Brukukutsa Kshetra near the north bank of river Narmada.
Seeing the child celibate (Brahmachari), that is, Lord Vamana, Emperor Bali or Mahabali performed ‘pada puja’ (cleaning of the feet) of the celibate and asked him what he wanted? Earth, gold, tasty food? or, Marriage, elephants, horses, chariots, etc.?
Lord Vamana asked Bali (Mahabali) to give him three steps of place and nothing. Bali (Mahabali) was surprised to hear that tiny donation. Lord Vamana was satisfied with just three steps. Bali (Mahabali) agreed. Lord Vamana in his first step occupied the whole earth and in the second he occupied the whole celestial sky.
There was no place left for third foot. Lord Vamana asked Bali (Mahabali) where to keep his third foot? Bali (Mahabali) replied to keep his third foot on his head. Accordingly, Lord Vamana recovered all the place lost and gave it to Devendra (Lord Indra) and other Devatas (Demigods).
It should be noted that Bali (Mahabali) knew very well the form of Lord Vamana before giving the donation. His Guru Shukracharya advised Bali (Mahabali) well in advance about the incarnation of Lord Sri Vishnu as Lord Vamana and he was no ordinary boy.
Bali (Mahabali) was a great devotee of Lord Sri Vishnu and thus with full awareness and full consciousness gave everything to the real owner of this unlimited universes, that is, to Lord Vamana (an avatar of Lord Sri Vishnu).
Aditi stotram in Padma Purana is as given below in Sanskrit (Hindi) language:
अदितिरुवाच । नमस्ते देवदेवेश सर्वव्यापिन् जनार्दन ।
सत्त्वादिगुणभेदेन लोकव्यापारकारिणे ॥ १॥
नमस्ते बहुरूपाय अरूपाय नमो नमः ।
सर्वैकाद्भुतरूपाय निर्गुणाय गुणात्मने ॥ २॥
नमस्ते लोकनाथाय परमज्ञानरूपिणे ।
सद्भक्तजनवात्सल्यशीलिने मङ्गलात्मने ॥ ३॥
यस्यावताररूपाणि ह्यर्जयन्ति मुनीश्वराः ।
तमादिपुरुषं देवं नमामीष्टार्थसिद्धये ॥ ४॥
यं न जानन्ति श्रुतयो यं न जानन्ति सूरयः ।
तं नमामि जगद्धेतुं मायिनं तममायिनम् ॥ ५॥
यस्यावलोकनं चित्रं मायोपद्रववारणम् ।
जगद्रूपं जगत्पालं तं वन्दे पद्मजाधवम् ॥ ६॥
यो देवस्त्यक्तसङ्गानां शान्तानां करुणार्णवः ।
करोति ह्यात्मना सङ्गं तं वन्दे सङ्गवर्जितम् ॥ ७॥
यत्पादाब्जजलक्लिन्नसेवारञ्जितमस्तकाः ।
अवापुः परमां सिद्धिं तं वन्दे सर्ववन्दितम् ॥ ८॥
यज्ञेश्वरं यज्ञभुजं यज्ञकर्मसु निष्ठितम् ।
नमामि यज्ञफलदं यज्ञकर्मप्रबोधकम् ॥ ९॥
अजामिलोऽपि पापात्मा यन्नामोच्चारणादनु ।
प्राप्तवान्परमं धाम तं वन्दे लोकसाक्षिणम् ॥ १०॥
ब्रह्माद्या अपि ये देवा यन्मायापाशयन्त्रिताः ।
न जानन्ति परं भावं तं वन्दे सर्वनायकम् ॥ ११॥
हृत्पद्मनिलयोऽज्ञानां दूरस्थ इव भाति यः ।
प्रमाणातीतसद्भावं तं वन्दे ज्ञानसाक्षिणम् ॥ १२॥
यन्मुखाद्ब्राह्मणो जातो बाहुभ्यः क्षत्रियोऽजनि ।
तथैव ऊरुतो वैश्यः पद्भ्यां शूद्रो अजायत ॥ १३॥
मनसश्चन्द्रमा जातो जातः सूर्यश्च चक्षुषः ।
मुखादिन्द्रस्तथाग्निश्च प्राणाद्वायुरजायत ॥ १४॥
त्वमिन्द्रः पवनः सोमस्त्वमीशानस्त्वमन्तकः ।
त्वमग्निर्निरृतिश्चैव वरुणस्त्वं दिवाकरः ॥ १५॥
देवाश्च स्थावराश्चैव पिशाचाश्चैव राक्षसाः ।
गिरयः सिद्धगन्धर्वा नद्यो भूमिश्च सागराः ॥ १६॥
त्वमेव जगतामीशो पुन्नामास्ति परात्परः । var यन्नामास्ति
त्वद्रूपमखिलं तस्मात्पुत्रान्मे पाहि श्रीहरे ॥ १७॥
इति स्तुत्वा देवधात्री देवं मत्वा पुनः पुनः । var नत्वा
उवाच प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा हर्षाश्रुक्षालितस्तनी ॥ १८॥
अनुग्राह्याऽस्मि देवेश हरे सर्वादिकारण ।
अकण्टकश्रियं देहि मत्सुतानां दिवौकसाम् ॥ १९॥
अन्तर्यामिन् जगद्रूप सर्वभूतपरेश्वर ।
तवाज्ञातं किमस्तीह किं मां मोहयसि प्रभो ॥ २०॥
तथापि तव वक्ष्यामि यन्मे मनसि वर्तते ।
वृथापुत्रास्मिदेवेश रक्षोभिः परिपीडिता ॥ २१॥
एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि मत्सुता दितिजातयः । var दितिजा यतः
तानहत्वा श्रियं देहि मत्सुतानामुवाच सा ॥ २२॥
इत्युक्तो देवदेवस्तु पुनः प्रीतिमुपागतः ।
उवाच हर्षयन्साध्वीं कृपयाऽभिपरिप्लुतः ॥ २३॥
श्रीभगवानुवाच । प्रीतोऽस्मि देवि भद्रं ते भविष्यामि सुतस्तव ।
यतः सपत्नीतनयेष्वपि वात्सल्यशालिनी ॥ २४॥
त्वया च मे कृतं स्तोत्रं पठन्ति भुवि मानवाः ।
तेषां पुत्रा धनं सम्पन्न हीयन्ते कदाचन ॥ २५॥
अन्ते मत्पदमाप्नोति यद्विष्णोः परमं शुभम् ॥ २६॥
इति श्रीपद्मपुराणान्तर्गतं वामनस्तोत्रं समाप्तम् ।
Note : Lord Vamana should be remembered while curd is being churned, Lord Krishna should be remembered while ghee is being prepared, Lord Varaha should be remembered while bathing and similarly Lord Upendra should be remembered while dressing.
To know the correct meaning of the word “Trivikrama” (another name of Bhagavan Vamana), you can visit this link:
What is Trivikrama correct meaning
To know the real meaning of the “Chatur Varna” (four Varna) in our GREAT SANATANA DHARMA, you can visit my other post. The link of that post is as here: Four varna Chatur varna correct meaning
Continue reading more information about Hindu Puranas from here : Information and significance of Hindu Puranas
More information will be added to this on regular, please visit after some time to know more information.
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NAMASTE!
Sri Gurubhyo Namaha
OM NAMO NARAYANAYA
Sri Krishnaarpanamastu
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