Three small steps of Vamana, One giant leap from Ego

There was an Asura king named Bali. He was the grandson of the great Prahalad. He once decided to perform a sacrifice on the advise of his guru Shukracharya. While he was performing the sacrifice, a dwarf Brahmin came to the spot. Bali welcomed the Brahmin and asked him what he wanted. The Brahmin asked for just three steps of land. Everybody around laughed at the request, but Bali agreed to grant him what he wanted. Shukracharya was skeptical about the request of the Brahmin but soon realized that he was none other than Lord Vishnu in his Vamana (Dwarf) Avatar. He stopped Bali from granting the Brahmin's wishes. But, Bali was adamant as he had already given his word. Shukracharya got angry and cursed him saying since he did not listen to the word of his Guru he will soon fall down from his high position. Then Bali washed the feet of Vamana with a golden pitcher of water and soon the Brahmin began to grow in size! He grew so huge that with one step he covered the whole earth and with the second step he covered the heaven. He was wondering where to place his third step. Then Bali realized that it was his ego which made him think he was the ruler of the three worlds so he decided to surrender his ego and bent his head forward and Vamana placed his third step on it. Vamana then blessed Bali.

Comments

Story Of Chakra Tirtha

Once, there was a brahmana named Padmanabha who was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. He performed a severe penance on the banks of Chakra Pushkarini. On being pleased with his penance, Lord Vishnu appeared before him. On seeing Lord Vishnu, Padmanabha started to eulogize him. Being pleased with Padmanabha's devotion, Lord Vishnu granted him a boon stating that he would remain eulogizing Lord Vishnu till the end of that Kalpa in Chakra tirtha. After some time, a rakshasa caught hold of Padmanabha. Being afflicted, Padmanabha prayed to Lord Vishnu. The Lord sent his discuss Sudarshana, to save him. Sudarshana saves Padmanabha and kills the rakshasa. Then Padmanabha eulogizes Sudarshana. Being pleased, the discuss told him that he would stay permanently in Chakra tirtha. The discuss also said that those who take a bath in Chakra tirtha, all their sins will be washed away. There was once a Gandharva named Sundara. He once went to take a bath in a pond in Srira...

When Love Is Real, It Finds A Way

Long ago in a kingdom of Madra ruled a king named Asvapati. Though he was a righteous king, he did not have any children. His counselors advised him to pray to God Savitr. So, Asvapati prayed to Savitr. Then Savitr pleased with his devotion, appeared before him. He told the king his desires will be fulfilled. Soon, Asvapati's wife delivered a girl child. Asvapati was overjoyed! He named the child Savitri to show his respect towards the God Savitr and celebrated her birth with pomp and ostentation. Soon, Savitri grew into a beautiful maiden and it was time to get her married. So, Asvapati made arrangements to find a suitable match for her. But, none agreed as she was both beautiful and intelligent. So, Asvapati asked Savitri to choose a husband for herself. She agreed and visited various kingdoms. On the way through one of the forest, she saw a handsome hermit and fell for him. She could not forget his face. Later when she visited the forest again she found out that he was not a h...

Think Before You Curse

Once upon a time, Lord Shiva was explaining the Vedas to Goddess Parvati. This went on for many years and eventually Parvati's attention got a little diverted. This irritated Shiva and he cursed her to be born as a fisherwoman. He immediately repented after doing this. But, once a curse is uttered, it cannot be revoked. Hence, Parvati was born as a baby on earth and found lying under a tree by the Chief of Paravaras (A clan of fishermen). He adopted her and bought her up. She was a quick learner and learnt all the skills of fishermen. Soon, she was admired by all. Meanwhile, Lord Shiva was repenting in his abode. Nandi (his attendant) consoled him and came up with a plan. Shiva agreed. Nandi took the form of a shark and began to torment the village of the fishermen. Then, the Chief of the Paravaras told he would offer his daughter, Parvati to the person who captures the shark. Many fishermen tried to capture the shark, but to no avail. Then, finally when the Chief of Paravaras as...

Arthatatvam

Search This Blog