Vamana and King Bali

King Bali ruled the asuras, and his people loved him. In his kingdom there was no theft, no lying and no hunger. He gave so freely that nobody left his door empty-handed.

Through austerity and sacrifice he won all three worlds. Indra abandoned his throne, and Aditi, mother of the gods, prayed to Vishnu.

Vishnu was born as Aditi's son — Vamana, a dwarf brahmin boy with an umbrella and a staff.

Bali was on the bank of the Narmada performing the Vishvajit sacrifice, where no petitioner may be refused.

Vamana entered the assembly. The king bowed and said, "Ask. Gold, villages, chariots, elephants — whatever you wish."

Vamana said, "I need only as much ground as I can cover in three paces."

Bali laughed. "Ask for something larger, child."

"One who asks for more than he needs stops being a petitioner," said Vamana. "Three paces is all."

At that his guru Shukracharya stopped him. "This is no ordinary boy. This is Vishnu himself. Do not give your word — you will lose everything."

Bali replied, "Guruji, if God himself has come to my door as a beggar, what greater fortune is there? I have resolved on the gift. I cannot step back now."

He poured the water and sealed the promise.

And Vamana began to grow. One stride covered the earth and the underworld; the second, the heavens and every world above.

"Where shall I place the third?"

Bali bowed his head. "Only my body is left. Place the third step on my head."

The lord did exactly that — and made Bali the ruler of Sutala, promising to stand at his door himself. Bali asked for one thing only: permission to visit his people once a year.

That day is kept in Kerala as Onam — homes decorated, pookalams laid out on the floor, and people saying that today our king has come.

Moral: Bali lost and was not diminished. God took everything from him and then stood guard at his door. One who never draws back from giving keeps his head high even in defeat.