Because he was
short, he was called Vamana. He came to Mahabali and asked him for a gift of land. He said
"'Will you give me land, as much as I could cover with three of my steps?"
"Certainly, "said Mahabali.
God suddenly grew very big. People then called him Vikrama or the Powerful.
He covered the whole earth with one step, and the sky with another!
He asked Mahabali, "Where is the land for my third step?"
"Here," said Mahabali, and pointed to his head, and bowed.
He saw that Vamana was God Himself.God placed His
foot on his head and pushed him down to Patala. This was punishment for Mahabali's pride. |
