Vaman Avatar ( The Dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu )

Vaman  Avatar ( The Dwarf incarnation of Lord Vishnu )

Kalachuri Dynasty,11th Century AD

         According to Hindu mythology Lord Vishnu has incarnated nine times. His tenth incarnation,  as Kali , is yet to come. Each of his incarnation teaches something to us. 

       This is his fourth incarnation as Vaman ( the dwarf). In order to humble King Bali, Lord Vishnu appeared as a dwarf. He  asked King Bali  to grant him just three steps of land. Bali granted him the request. Lord Vishnu covered the underworld in one step, the sky in the other step and asked Bali where he should place his third step. Humbly Bali offered his head. With the pressure of His step, King Bali went to the underworld.  He was given the boon to visit his Kingdom once in a year. Hence spring when the earth resurrects itself. 

       The story teaches us that humility  (having small ego--dwarf) is a big thing. In order to subdue the arrogant, one should have humility like a monk. King Bali was wealthy, but it is the intellect which conquers the three spaces-- the underworld, the earth and the sky. As the Chinese say "the bamboo is the perfect example of a gentleman. In high winds, it touches the earth with humility.  And raises its head heavenward once the wind has died down.