Vamana

Vamana (Sanskrit: वामन, IAST: Vāmana, lit. dwarf), is the fifth avatar of Hindu god Vishnu. He incarnates in a time of crisis to restore cosmic balance by creatively defeating the Asura king Mahabali, who had acquired disproportionate power over the universe. According to Hindu mythology, the noble demon king sponsors a sacrifice and gift giving ceremony to consolidate his power, and Vishnu appears at this ceremony as a dwarf mendicant Brahmin called Vamana. When Vamana's turn comes to receive a gift, Mahabali offers him whatever riches and material wealth he would like, but Vamana refuses everything and states he would just like three paces of land. Mahabali finds the dwarf's request amusingly small and irrevocably grants it. Vamana then grows into a giant of cosmic proportions. In one step he covers the earth and the underworld, in another the heavens, and for the third, Mahabali offers his head on which Vamana steps, sending the demon king to the Patala (netherworld).

The Vamana avatar has roots in Vedic texts of Hinduism. The hymns of the Rigveda describes Vishnu as that benevolent god who in three steps defined all there is in the universe. The giant form of Vamana is also known as Trivikrama (literally, "three steps"). The Vamana legend has been a popular one, inspiring icons found in Hindu temples and sections in Hindu texts such as the Puranas and the epics. About thirty different versions of his mythology are found in these texts.

Etymology 

The Sanskrit word Vamana (वामन) means "dwarf". He is also known as Trivikrama (त्रिविक्रम) means the three steps, representing the Svarga (heaven), the earth, and the Patala (netherworld).

The legend of Vishnu covering the universe in three steps is found in Vedic texts. For example, hymns, 1.22 and 1.154 of the Rigveda describe Vishnu as that bountiful, kind, just god in three steps defined all there is in the universe. Other Rigvedic hymns that mention three steps of Vishnu include 1.154, 6.49, 7.100 and 8.29, and in these the context is of a benevolent god who protects the oppressed humanity by his creative acts against the evil.

Texts 

The Bhagavata Purana describes that Vishnu descended as the Vamana avatar to restore the authority of Indra over the heavens, as it had been taken by a benevolent Asura King Mahabali (or simply called Bali). Bali was the great grandson of Hiranyakshipu, the grand son of Prahlada and son of Virochana. Vamana, as a dwarf Brahmin carrying a wooden umbrella, went to the king to request for land that he could set his foot upon for three paces. Mahabali consented against the warning of his guru, Shukracharya, having underestimated the nature of the request. Vamana then enlarged to gigantic proportions to stride over the three worlds. With the first step he covered the space from heaven to earth, and with the second from earth to the netherworld. King Mahabali's realms were exhausted, and there was no space for the third step. Unable to fulfill his promise, Mahabali offered his head for the third. Vamana placed his foot on Mahabali's head, and granted the king immortality for his humility. He was also allowed to return every year to see the citizens of his country. The festival of Onam for some and first day of Diwali for some is related to this return of Mahabali to a visit to earth once every year in August–September. Some texts state that Vamana gave the lordship of the netherworld to Bali. In giant form, Vamana is known as Trivikrama.

According to another but similar version, Prahlada's grandson Mahabali came to power by defeating the gods (Devas), and taking over the three worlds. According to Vaishnavism mythology, the defeated Devas approached Vishnu for help in their battle with Mahabali. Vishnu refused to join the gods in violence against Mahabali, because Mahabali was a good ruler and his own devotee. He, instead, decided to test Mahabali's devotion at an opportune moment. Mahabali, after his victory over the gods, declared that he will perform Yajna (homa sacrifices) and grant anyone any request during the Yajna. Vishnu took the avatar of a dwarf boy called Vamana and approached Mahabali. The king offered anything to the boy – gold, cows, elephants, villages, food, whatever he wished. The boy said that one must not seek more than one needs, and all he needs is the property right over a piece of land that measures "three paces". Mahabali agreed. The Vamana grew and covered everything Mahabali ruled over in just two paces. For the third pace, Mahabali offered himself to the Vamana.

Symbolism 

Mahabali symbolizes samriddhi (prosperity), the three feet symbolize the three states of existence – Jagrat (awake), Swapna (dream sleep) and sushupti (deep sleep) and final step is on his head which elevates from these three states, unto moksha (spiritual liberation, release from rebirths).

Balipratipada
Balipratipada is an ancient festival observed during the five days of Diwali that amongst other things commemorates the Bali-Vamana legend. The legend signifies devotion, goodwill and generosity.

Onam

In one version of the Vamana legend, when Mahabali offered himself for Vishnu's third step, it was an act of Mahabali's devotion. Vishnu granted him a boon. Mahabali chose to revisit earth, once every year, the lands and people he previously ruled. This revisit marks the festival of Onam, as reminder of the virtuous rule and his humility in keeping his promise before Vishnu.

According to Nanditha Krishna, a simpler form of this legend, one without Mahabali, is found in the Rigveda and the Vedic text Shatapatha Brahmana where a solar deity is described with powers of Vishnu. This story likely grew over time, and is in part allegorical, where Bali is a metaphor for thanksgiving offering after a bounty of rice harvest during monsoon, and Vishnu is the metaphor of the Kerala sun and summer that precedes the Onam. According to Roshen Dalal, the story of Mahabali is important to Onam in Kerala, but similar Mahabali legends are significant in the region of Balia in Uttar Pradesh, Bawan also in the same state, Bharuch in Gujarat, and Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra. The story is significant not because Mahabali's rule ended, but it emphasizes the Hindu belief in cyclical nature of events, that no individual, no ruler and nothing lasts forever, except the virtues and self understanding that overcomes all sorrow.

Iconography 
Vamana iconography varies by region. Three icons are common, one shows his left foot raised above his knee, the second shows his foot above his navel, and the third shows it raised above the forehead. These icons respectively symbolize the three worlds – netherworld, earth and heaven – Vamana covered as Trivikrama.

Temples 

The Vamana iconography and images are found in many Vaishnava temples. Some Vamana temples include:
 Vamana temple at Marhia, Jabalpur (dated to 5th-century, Gupta Empire era)
 Vamana temple in Nagpur complex of Ramagiri temples, Maharashtra (5th-century CE)
 Vamana along with other avatars of Vishnu, at the Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh, Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh, dated 500-500 CE)
 Thrikkakara Temple, Thrikkakkara, Cochin, Kerala
 Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Kanchipuram in Kanchipuram
 Vamana Temple, Eastern Group of Temples, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
 Ulagalantha Perumal Temple, Tirukoyilur in Tirukoilur, Viluppuram district, Tamil Nadu
 Kazheesirama Vinnagaram in Sirkazhi, Tamil Nadu
 [(Ulagaalanda Perumal)] in [(Thiruneermalai Divya Desam Near Pallavaram, Chennai)]
 [(Thri Vikrama Temple)] in [(Thamalam, Bank of Karamana River,Thiruvanathapuram)]
 In Jagannath Puri Temple the tower of the main sanctuary has three subsidiary shrines, Varaha on south, Narasigha on west and Vamana on north. The high relief Vamana Dev is intricately describes the incident of Bali.

See also 

Dashavatara
Vishnu Purana
Onam
Bhagavata Purana
Vishnu
Varaha
Parashurama
Rama
Krishna
Buddha
Kalki
Vamadeva

References

External links 
 Vamana Temples in Kerala
 Vamana Avatar

Category:Forms of Vishnu
Category:Dwarves (mythology)