Trivikram: Dwarf (Vaman ) Incarnation of Lord VishnuCave No 2, Badami, 6th Century CE
Cave No 2 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Thus, we find different images of the God. The Chalukyan Dynasty was a native Dynasty of Karnataka. Yet its Kingdom was not a local one. It had expanded its limits to a large extent of the Deccan. Raja Pulkeshin II had even crossed the Narmada River and had defeated Raja Harshvardhan of Kannauj. Hence , its Kingdom had extended even to the North India.
For such a Dynasty, the Dwarf incarnation if Lord Vishnu was an apt symbol. Like Vaman ( dwarf), the Dynasty had humble beginnings. But like Lord Vishnu, it too had conquered "the earth and the sky" and was still looking for a place to take its "third" step. Raja Pulkeshin II must have seen himself as a "Chakravirtin " king (as an all conquering king). Therefore, this over lifesize sculpture of Lord Trivikram ( conqueror of the threw worlds) is as much a political statement as it is a religious icon.
The story of Vaman is a reminder of the divinity within us. We have the potential to grow and conquer. We just need a will power. Like the son of King Bali, who is shown trying to hold back Lord Vishnu from taking his third step over King Bali ' s head, obstacles are there in the path of growth and development. But like the Lord we must overcome them. As individuals we must reach our maximum capacity; as a nation we must become an economic world power. But the path to growth is not through endless squabbles, and through self - doubts, or through the doomsday preaching. It is through self - confidence, self - sacrifice, through zeal, compassion and kindness.
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