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Vamana is the Fifth Avatara of Vishnu, and the first incarnation of the Second Age, or Treta yuga. Also he is the first Avatar of Vishnu which had a completely human form, though it was that of a dwarf brahmin with a wooden umbrella. He is also known as Upendra.
Origin
He compels the Devas' (Gods') enemy Bali Chakravarthi (of the demon race), (who too like his granduncle Hiranyaksha and his grandfather Hiranyakashipu, was the kind of Dravida) into giving up all of the heavens and earth. King Bali, in an attempt to cement his place as the ruler of all Three Worlds (i.e. the Universe), performed a series of grand yajnas (prayers/sacrifice). The Devas, most of all, Indra were jealous of Mahabali's power and popularity, for in spite of his power, he was extremely benevolent and generous unlike his predecessors. So they prayed to Lord Vishnu to help them by stopping Mahabali continual increase in power. On King Bali's last yajna, Vamana a small brahmana boy appeared. The King was delighted to be graced by the presence of such a holy being, and offered Vamana anything that he wished for. Vamana asked for a piece of land only three paces wide and Bali laughed at the proposal, highlighting the great wealth and land that he owns. However he nonetheless agreed to this wish, against Asuraguru Sukracharya's warning that Vamana was in fact the avatar of Mahavishnu who has come once again to defeat the demon race. King Bali agreed, inviting the anger of his spiritual master, Sukracharya, who then cursed him. King Bali presented Vamana his gift, whereupon Vamana grew in size to seemingly infinite size. He then stepped over the mortal sphere in one step, and the celestial sphere in the second. Having now taken all of Bali's wealth, Vamana asks him where he should place his third step. King Bali, in trying to fulfill his promise, offered his head for the third step. Thus Vamana places his third step on King Bali's head, and gently pushed him into the netherworld..
Symbolism
Vamana taught King Bali that arrogance and pride should be abandoned if any advancement in life is to be made, and that wealth should never be taken for granted since it can so easily be taken away. Vamana then took on the form of Mahavishnu. He was pleased by King Bali's determination and ability to keep his promise in the face of his spiritual master's curse and the prospect of losing all his wealth. Vishnu named the King Mahabali since he was a Mahatma (great soul). He allowed Mahabali to return to the spiritual sky to associate with Prahalada (the demoniac Hiranyashipu's pious son, also a descendant of the demon race) and other divine beings. Mahavishnu also declared that Mahabali would be able to rule the universe in the following yuga (age).
Bali is supposed to return every year to the land of his people, to ensure that they are prosperous. This is celebrated as the Onam festival in Kerala, where he is also called Maveli.
Temples
one of the Vamana temples is located in Kanchipuram near Kamakshi temple.
External links
"Vamana"