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.

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