As the sacred sacrifice progressed, Vāmana, radiant and adorned with gleaming earrings, approached the site, singing the melodious Sāma hymns. He entered the sacrificial enclosure, his presence shining brightly. Bhārgava, observing Vāmana and praising the sacrifice, immediately recognized him—not as an ordinary Brahmin, but as the divine Lord in the form of Brahma, the slayer of demons. Understanding that Vāmana was the giver, the fruit of sacrificial austerities, and the destroyer of evil, Bhārgava quickly addressed King Bali, who was resplendent with great energy. He reminded Bali that, as a kṣatriya, his duty was to conquer, and through devotion, to give wealth. Bali, the foremost among the powerful, was consecrated in the sacrifice with his wife by his side. Śukra, the wise and eminent Bhṛgu sage, spoke to Bali, who was meditating on the sacrificial person and offering oblations separately. He warned, “This Brahmin who has arrived at your sacrifice in the form of Vāmana is not a true Brahmin, O Bali. He is the lord of sacrifice, the bearer of sacrifice.” Śukra cautioned Bali that the child had come to ask for something, surely for the benefit of the gods. He advised Bali to consult with him before making any offerings. But Bali, the subduer of enemies, replied to Bhārgava, his priest, with unwavering faith. “Blessed am I, for the lord of sacrifice comes to my house in person. Having arrived, he asks for something—what remains to be discussed?” Having spoken thus, Bali, together with his wife and Śukra, went to where Vāmana, the foremost Brahmin and son of Aditi, stood. With hands joined in reverence, Bali asked Vāmana, “For what purpose have you come?” Vāmana replied simply, “Give me land measuring three steps.” He urged Bali to give, saying there was no other purpose, and questioned the use of wealth. Bali agreed, saying, “So be it,” and brought vessels adorned with various jewels. Performing the preliminary rite of pouring water, Bali gave the land to Vāmana, as the chief among sages and Śukra looked on. The lords of the worlds watched as Bali gave the land, and the assembly of demons erupted in shouts of victory. Vāmana then spoke gently, “Blessings, O king, be happy. Give me the measured land of three steps; it will be quickly taken.” The lord of demons, Bali, replied, “So be it,” gazing at Vāmana, the lord of sacrifice, whose chest bore the moon and sun. As the gods stood at the fore, Vāmana’s form began to grow, taking on the mighty stride. The endless, infallible Lord, valiant and powerful, assumed the form of the stride. Witnessing this, Bali, together with his wife, spoke humbly: “Stride forth, O Viṣṇu, Lord of the worlds, as much as your power allows, O embodiment of the universe. O Lord of the gods, O creator of all, I have given you all I possess.” At that moment, the great sacrificer Viṣṇu replied, “O lord of the Daityas, mighty-armed one, I shall stride; watch, O king of the Daityas.” As he spoke, Bali urged again and again, “Stride, O Viṣṇu, stride!” Vāmana placed one foot upon the back of the tortoise, and another at the site of Bali’s sacrifice; his second step reached the eternal world of Brahmā. For the third step, Viṣṇu said, “O lord of the Asuras, there is no place here. Where shall I stride? Give me the earth.” Smiling, Hari addressed Bali, who, together with his wife, replied with joined palms: “The whole world was created by you; I am not the creator, O lord of the gods. Because of your power, mine became small—what can I do, O embodiment of the universe? Yet, I have never spoken falsehood before, O Keśava. Make my word true—place your foot upon my back.” Pleased with Bali’s devotion, the blessed Lord, worshipped by the gods, said, “Choose a boon, O fortunate one; I am pleased with your devotion, O king of the Daityas.” Bali replied, “I do not ask you, O Trivikrama.” Yet Viṣṇu, pleased, granted him what he desired in his heart: to fall to Rasātala, to again attain the position of Indra, and sovereignty over himself—these, the imperishable Hari, the glorious one, granted. Thus, having received everything from Bali, along with his sons and wife, Hari established Bali, the foe of the immortals, in Rasātala. Then Śatakratu restored the sovereignty of the gods as it was before, and in that moment, Viṣṇu’s worshipped foot reached there. That second step of Viṣṇu, which reached my father’s abode, caused me to reflect deeply. Seeing that divine foot arrive at our house, I pondered what good deed I should do. Considering all my possessions, I thought my water-pot would be best. That water, most holy, given by the enemy of Tripura, is the supreme boon, the best of boons, the giver of boons, the highest, and the bringer of peace. It is auspicious, ever bestowing good, granting both enjoyment and liberation, the very form of the Mother of the worlds, immortal, a remedy, and pure. It is holy, purifying, worthy of worship, eldest, best, endowed with virtues; by mere remembrance it purifies the worlds—how much more so by sight? Thinking thus, “Let me, having become pure, prepare that water for the offering to my father,” he took that water and prepared it for the offering. That water, well-consecrated, which had fallen at the feet of Viṣṇu, then fell upon Mount Meru and divided into four upon the earth. To the east, south, west, and north it fell. The portion that fell to the south was caught by Śaṅkara in his matted locks. That which fell to the west was again taken up into the water-pot, and that which fell to the north, Viṣṇu himself took up as water.