King Bali and the Lord’s Third Foot

In the grand tapestry of our Puranas, there are villains and heroes, gods and demons. But few figures are as complex and revered as Mahadani Bali—the great demon king who is remembered not for his conquests, but for his ultimate act of charity and surrender. His story, deeply connected to Lord Vishnu’s Vamana avatar, is a profound lesson in devotion.

 

The Rise of a Great King

 

King Bali was a mighty ruler. Grandson of the great devotee Prahlada, he was just and powerful, and through his prowess, he conquered the three worlds, including the heavens, displacing an arrogant King Indra. Under his guru Shukracharya’s guidance, he performed 99 grand yajnas, and his fame as a great donor (Mahadani) spread everywhere.

Fearing his power, the defeated gods pleaded with Lord Vishnu for help. Answering their prayers, Lord Vishnu took birth as a young, dwarf Brahmin boy named Vamana.

King Bali and the Lord’s Third Foot

 

The Test of a Lifetime

 

On the day King Bali was to complete his 100th yajna, the radiant Vamana arrived at the ceremony. Seeing the brilliant boy, Bali was overwhelmed and offered him anything he desired—gold, elephants, even his entire kingdom.

But the dwarf Brahmin smiled and made a humble request: “O King, I do not need great wealth. All I ask for is a small piece of land, as much as I can cover in just three of my footsteps.”

Bali’s guru, Shukracharya, immediately recognized that this was Lord Vishnu in disguise and warned the king not to make the promise. But Bali, true to his dharma as a great donor, could not refuse a Brahmin’s request. He gave his word.

 

The Third Footstep: An Ultimate Surrender

 

The moment Bali made his promise, a miracle occurred. The small dwarf Vamana began to grow, and grow, and grow, until he took a cosmic form known as Trivikrama.

• With his first step, He covered the entire Earth.
• With his second step, He covered the heavens and the sky.

He then turned to the astonished King Bali and asked, “O King, I have covered everything in two steps. You promised me three. Where shall I place my third foot?”

In that moment, King Bali showed his true greatness. With tears of devotion in his eyes, he knelt down and, with complete humility, offered the only thing he had left: his own head. “O Lord,” he said, “Please place your third foot upon my head and fulfill my promise.”

This incredible moment of surrender is one of the most powerful stories in our Puranas. To cherish this profound story of humility and devotion, many devotees adorn their homes with a Pattachitra painting of the Vamana Avatar, a reminder that true greatness lies in surrender to the Lord.

 

The Grace of the Lord

 

Pleased beyond measure by this unparalleled act of sacrifice, Lord Vishnu did not crush Bali. Instead, He showered him with grace. He blessed Bali with immortality and made him the king of the celestial netherworld, Sutala. Most importantly, the Lord of the Universe promised to become Bali’s personal doorkeeper, guarding him forever.

It is believed that to this day, Mahadani Bali, in a divine form, visits the Srimandir in Puri every single night. After the temple is closed, he stands at the sacred Baisi Pahacha, no longer a king seeking power, but a humble devotee praying only for a glimpse of his Lord and for final liberation (Mukti).

His story teaches us that the greatest charity is the surrender of our ego, and the greatest victory is to be conquered by God.

Jai Jagannath!
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