Prahlada is the grandfather of Bali. Prahlada features very prominently in Vamana Purana. When Bali become the King of the three worlds, Prahlada teaches him Raj Dharma. Later on, Prahlada narrates the supremacy of Vishnu to Bali. He tells Bali that Vishnu has taken Vamana form and that is the reason Bali’s armies are tired and listless. Bali does not agree with Prahlada and starts mocking Vishnu. An angry Prahlada curses that Bali will lose his kingdom because he disrespected Vishnu. A repentant Bali then seeks forgiveness and asks what he should do in penance. Thus, in Puranas, Prahlada ends up educating both his father and his grandson on the supremacy of Vishnu. In Bhagvata Purana, Prahlada also requests Vamana to forgive Bali.

Picture Credit: Calcutta Art Studio

The Rig Veda describes that Vishnu gathered everything with three steps.
“Through all this world strode Vishnu; thrice his foot he planted, and the whole
Was gathered in his footstep’s dust.
Vishnu, the Guardian, he whom none deceiveth, made three steps; thenceforth
Establishing his high decrees.”
This forms the nucleus of the Vamana Avatara. This is mentioned in different ways in other Vedas and Upanishads. Mahabharata and several puranas, including Vamana Purana, narrate the full Vamana Avatar. Vamana Purana also narrates an earlier story of Vishnu taking the form of a dwarf (not Vamana) and seeking a gift of three steps from Dhundhu, chief of demons. Interestingly, only a small part of Vamana Purana is dedicated to the Vamana avatar. The avatar is narrated twice within Vamana Purana. The Bali story is also narrated in Mahabashya of Patanjali around 2nd century BCE.

Picture Credit: Vamana Temple at Thirikkakkara, Kerala, Wikimedia Commons

Lakshmi Devi arrives in Bali’s kingdom after he defeats Indra. She praises him for defeating Indra through his valour. She observes that Bali has arisen from the lineage of Hiranyakashipu. She praises his prowess and starts residing in him. Alongwith Lakshmi, other Goddesses representing wisdom, patience, forgiveness, learning, morals etc also entered Bali’s kingdom.

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Bali conquers the three worlds from Indra. All the offerings to the Devas are stopped as Bali becomes the King. Aditi, the mother of Indra is upset about this loss. She asks her husband Rishi Kashyap for the reasons for this loss of kingdom. Rishi Kashyap takes her to Brahma who then says only Vishnu can restore their loss. After a long penance by Aditi, Vishnu agrees to be born as her son who will recover the three worlds from Bali and restore Indra’s rule.

Picture Credit: Vamana Alankar, Puri Jagannath Temple, Wikimedia Commons

As Vishnu approached Bali’s Yajna, the sacrificial fires stopped accepting the offerings of demons. They feared that Vishnu would destroy the Yajna like Shiva had done before. Bali then asked his Guru Sukracharya, why the sacrificial fires are behaving in this manner. Sukracharya tells Bali that demons are now enjoying Yajna offerings. These no longer reach the Devas. Vishnu is coming to correct this. He tells Bali that Vishnu will deprive him of everything and give it to Indra. Sukracharya instructs Bali that he should not offer anything to Vishnu. Bali disagrees, saying how can he deny anything to Vishnu himself.
The story of Sukracharya entering the Kamandalam to obstruct the flow of water and stop the vow of Bali is not in Vamana Purana but it is narrated in other Puranas.

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Popular stories portray that Bali was cheated by Vishnu in dwarf form with the seemingly simple request for three steps of land.
However, Vamana Purana itself narrates that Bali was willing to concede everything to Vishnu. Prahalada curses Bali that he will lose his kingdom. Bali is repentant and mentions that he does not feel sorry about losing his kingdom. When Sukracharya mentions that Vishnu is approaching the Yajna, Bali is elated. When Sukracharya warns that he should not offer Vishnu anything, Bali disagrees, saying how can I not offer Vishnu himself. He says even if Vishnu is coming to kill me, then destruction at the hands of Vishnu is praiseworthy.
When Vamana reaches the Yajna, Bali offers Vamana “the entire earth or whatever is your choice.” When Vamana asks him for three steps of land, Bali is not dismissive. He addresses Vamana as Vishnu and again offers everything he has. In the Bhagavata Purana, Vamana acknowledges that he deceived Bali. However, since Bali was firm in his vow, Vishnu will also protect him.

Picture Credit: Vamana and Bali at Halabeidu, Ramanujam SR

Trivikrama refers to three steps. Vishnu or Vamana is addressed as Trivikrama describing the three giant steps he takes. Trivikrama is a popular sculpture in Indian temples including Ellora. Several temples dedicated to Trivikrama are in South India.

Picture Credit: Trivikrama at Halabeidu, Ramanujam SR

Bana is the son of Bali. He poses a logical question to Vamana. He says that his father has given everything that Vishnu has created. After this, how is it possible for Bali to offer something more? How can he offer something that the Lord himself has not created? How can Vishnu derogate earth, which is his own creation, by proving it too small?
Vishnu then calmly reminds Bana that Bali made the offer of three steps knowing the true size of Vishnu. He also tells Bana that he is taking the three steps for the benefit of Bali. Later on Bana’s daughter would marry Krishna’s grandson Aniruddha after a fierce fight between Krishna and Bana.

Picture Credit: Vamana deity at Khajuraho, Ramanujam SR

As per Vamana Purana, Vamana does not place the third step on Bali’s head. Vamana tells Bali that he has accepted the water that Bali placed in Vaman’s hand. Therefore Bali will live for a Kalpa. At the expiry of that period, Bali will become Indra. Till then the worlds will be given to Indra.
Till the time the third step is given, Bali will live free from diseases in Sutala (Patala). Sutala means well surfaced. Sutala is prosperous and beneficial and is even desired even by residents of Heaven.
He will live in a palace constructed by Visvakarma himself. He will be surrounded by riches, waterbodies, dance, music and women. He will live comfortably as long as he does not come in conflict with Gods and Brahmanas. Bali constructed a temple for Kesava in Sutala. Vishnu himself appeared in Sutala and stood as a guard.

Picture Credit: Raja Ravi Varma painting, Wikimedia Commons

Prahlada curses Bali that he would lose all his kingdom since he mocked Vishnu. Prahlada advises a remorseful Bali to seek shelter from Purusottama and then leaves for a pilgrimage. After the departure of Prahlada , Bali comes to Kurukshetra to perform Yajna. He starts the Ashwamedha Yajna. Eventually Vishnu arrives in Kurukshetra in the Vamana Avatara. Thus Kurukshetra is the location of the peaceful conquest of Bali. Later on, it would be the site of the great Mahabharata war. In Bhagvata Purana, the site of the Yajna is mentioned as present day Bharuch in Gujarat.

Picture Credit: Vamana temple at Khajuraho, Ramanujam SR

The day after Deepavali is celebrated as Balipratipada in many parts of India like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh etc. It is believed to be the day when Bali returns to his kingdom once every year. This request of Bali was granted by Vishnu after he was sent to Sutala. Vamana Purana simply mentions that the Pratipada after Sakra festival shall be observed as a day of Bali’s worship – Dvarapratipada. Healthy and wealthy people will dress well and worship Bali with flowers and lamp. Due to the happiness, the auspicious day will be called Kaumudi.

Picture Credit: Venugopal and Jayachadran, Tatvamasi Mural Art

As per Buddhist tradition, Bali narrates his life to Avalokitesvara. He describes himself as an arrogant and conceited king. He had invited countless Kings and Brahmanas to an offering. When he saw all of them assembled before him, he became proud that he is the master. He was cruel to their women, killed boys and girls, imprisoned Kshatriyas, Pandavas and Kauravas. He then started looking for Narayana but could not find him. Thereafter he started the offerings. During this time, Narayana as Dasarathaputra (Rama) freed Pandavas and Kauravas. Then Dasarathaputra came as a dwarf to the offering and requested two steps of land. Bali offered him three steps. When Bali could not offer the third step, Dasarathaputra banished him from the offering site and sent him to the under world. The Pandavas, Kauravas and Kshatriyas took away all the wealth.
Bali narrates this to Avalokitesvara and says he made an unfortunate offering that has led him to bondage. Avolakitesvara teaches Bali Dharma and tells Bali that he will rule as a just King of demons. He will become Tathagata, an arahant, who attains perfect enlightenment and wisdom. Thus Buddhist tradition combines Buddhism, Vamana Avatara, Ramayana and Mahabharata.
Source: Wisdom-lib, Karandavyuha Sutra.

Picture Credit: Vrindavan Das