Vamana and King Bali

Told in English, Telugu.

Long, long ago, there lived a great king named Bali. He was the grandson of Prahlada, that little boy who loved Lord Vishnu with all his heart. Bali was very strong and very brave. He was so strong that he won the earth, the sky, and even the heavens where the devas lived.

But do you know what Bali was famous for, more than his strength? He was famous for giving. Anyone who came to his door asking for help went home happy. Food, cows, gold, land, whatever they needed, Bali gave with a smile.

Now, the devas were sad, because they had lost their home in the heavens. Their mother, Aditi, was the saddest of all. She sat quietly every day and prayed to Lord Vishnu. Please help my children, she said.

Lord Vishnu heard her prayer. And one day, a beautiful baby boy was born to Aditi. This was no ordinary baby. It was Lord Vishnu himself! He grew into a small, bright boy with shining eyes. He was very short, so everyone called him Vamana, which means the little one.

At that time, King Bali was doing a great yagna on the banks of the Narmada river. Smoke rose from the holy fire, priests chanted, and people came from far and wide, because everyone knew that the king would give gifts to all.

Into this busy crowd walked little Vamana. He held a small umbrella in one hand and a water pot in the other. He wore a simple cloth and a sacred thread, like a young student. When the people saw him, they stopped and stared. He was so small, and yet his face glowed like the morning sun.

King Bali stood up at once. He washed the little boy's feet with his own hands and said, Welcome, young one! My yagna is blessed today because you have come. Tell me, what would you like? Ask for anything. A village? A palace? Gold? I will give it to you.

Vamana smiled sweetly. Great king, he said, I do not need palaces or gold. I only want a small piece of land. Just three steps, measured by my own little feet.

The king laughed kindly. Only three steps? Child, you are too humble! Ask for more. Ask for a whole kingdom!

But Vamana shook his head. A person who is happy with a little is always happy, he said. Three steps are enough for me.

Now, standing beside the king was his wise teacher, Shukracharya. He looked closely at the little boy, and his eyes grew wide. He pulled the king aside and whispered, Bali, listen to me! This is no ordinary boy. This is Lord Vishnu himself! If you make this promise, you will lose everything you have. Do not give it!

King Bali was quiet for a moment. Can you guess what he did?

He looked at his teacher and said softly, Gurudeva, I have already said yes. My grandfather Prahlada taught me never to break a promise. And if the one asking is truly Lord Vishnu, then how lucky I am! The Lord who gives to the whole world is standing at my door, asking me for a gift. How can I say no?

So King Bali took water in his hand, and with his wife Vindhyavali beside him, he poured it out and said, Little one, the three steps are yours.

And then, something amazing happened.

Vamana began to grow. He grew taller than the people. Taller than the trees. Taller than the hills. Taller than the clouds! Up and up and up he went, until his head touched the stars and the sun and moon looked like tiny lamps beside him. Everyone gasped. The little boy had become Trivikrama, the Lord who covers everything.

With his first step, he covered the whole earth. With his second step, he covered all the skies and the heavens. Everything that Bali had won was now under the Lord's two feet.

Then the giant Lord looked down at the king and said in a deep, gentle voice, Bali, I have taken two steps. Where shall I put my third step? There is no place left.

Everyone held their breath. What would the king do now? Would he break his promise?

King Bali did not run. He did not get angry. He folded his hands, bowed down low, and said, My Lord, a promise must be kept. You have taken all that I own. But I still have myself. Please, place your third step on my head.

The Lord's eyes filled with love. Very gently, he placed his foot on King Bali's head.

Just then, old Prahlada came there, smiling with joy. He bowed to the Lord and said, My grandson has given you everything, and that is the greatest gift of all.

Lord Vishnu was very pleased. Bali, he said, you are truly generous, and you kept your word even when it was hard. I will give you a beautiful world called Sutala to rule, a place even lovelier than the heavens. No sorrow will ever come to you there. And I myself will stay close to you and guard you always. One day, you will even become the king of the heavens.

So the devas got their home back, Aditi was happy again, and King Bali went to his lovely new kingdom with a peaceful heart, knowing that the Lord himself was his friend and protector.

The little boy who asked for three small steps had come to give a big blessing. And the king who gave everything found that he had lost nothing at all.

Now, close your eyes, little one. Think of something kind you can give tomorrow, even something small, like a smile or a helping hand. Good night.