#vamana

Indra was defeated by the asura known as Bali who now ruled as a tyrant. As a solution to this Lord Vishnu incarnates for a fifth time into a dwarf brahmin named Vamana, child of Kashyapa and Aditi. Under Bali everyone prospered save for the benevolent devas. Upon Vamana's birth he is blessed with many tools from the gods including a deer skin, sacred thread, and water pot. Bali, in the meantime, has assumed rule of heaven, earth, and the netherworld, and decided to solidify this with a horse sacrifice, which Vamana encounters. He asks humbly for three feet of ground measured by his small feet and Bali agrees. As water is poured from their pot to sanctify Vamana's ask he grows giant in size, and in two strides covers the earth and netherworld, and the heavens as Bali watches stunned at his true cosmic form. Vamana asks where the third step should fall and Bali, true to his word, says to use him as the final step. Vamana gently places his foot upon him, sending him down to the netherworld (Patala) to rule over his own realm of Sutala, representing his dharmic accomplishments, humility, and fall from grace. The festival of Onam is said to represent an alternate version of the myth where Bali asks to return once a year to celebrate with his former people.

Pantheon: Hindu, Indian

Domain or Function: Fifth avatar of Vishnu who symbolizes humility and dharmic order.

Alternate Names: Trivikrama (three steps), Urukrama (far stepper), Upendra (Indra's younger brother), Dadhivamana/दधिवामन (milk dwarf), Ulagalanthan (measurer of the world), Balibandhana (killer of Bali).

Character Traits: Simple yet powerful, teaches that a fall from grace is sometimes needed.

Visual Traits: Shown as a young boy or dwarf man holding an umbrella and kamandalu (water pot). Sometimes wearing a black deer skin, sacred thread, or other elements from his story.

Symbolism: Umbrella, kamandalu.