Sri Mahadeva began his narration: After a thousand years of penance, Aditi finally gave birth to Vamana, the infallible Vishnu, Lord of all worlds. This divine child was radiant like the full moon, his chest adorned with the auspicious marks of Srivatsa and the Kaustubha gem. Though his form was small, he was beautiful and lotus-eyed—Hari himself, appearing as a humble student. Vamana wore the sacred attire of a Brahmachari: a belt, deer skin, staff, and other marks of a student, signifying his mastery of the Vedas. All the gods, led by Indra, along with the great sages, beheld him with awe. They praised him, bowing reverently before the mighty Lord. Pleased by their devotion, Vamana addressed the foremost gods: “Tell me, O best of gods, what should I do today?” The delighted deities replied, “O Madhusudana, at this very moment, Bali is performing a great sacrifice. Now is the time when the demon king cannot refuse any request. Please, ask him and grant us back the heavenly realms.” Hearing their plea, Hari proceeded to the sacrificial site where Bali was seated, accompanied by eight sages. As Vishnu arrived, the king of the Daityas immediately stood up, recognizing the divine visitor whose presence echoed ancient tales. Bali worshipped Vamana according to proper rites, seating him on a flower-strewn seat, bowing deeply with a voice choked by emotion. Bali spoke, “I am blessed; my life has found its purpose. Having worshipped you, O foremost of Brahmins, what can I do to please you? Surely you have come for some purpose. Tell me, O best of twice-born, and I will grant it to you without delay.” With a delighted heart, Vamana replied, “Hear, O king, the reason for my coming. O lord of the Daityas, grant me the earth measured by three steps from the fire-altar. I desire nothing else, O bestower of honor. Among all gifts, the gift of land is supreme; a king who gives land to a Brahmin who owns nothing attains the highest merit. Even if it is only the size of a thumb, he becomes lord of the earth. There is nothing as pure as the gift of land. Both giver and receiver of land perform meritorious deeds and, at death, ascend to heaven. Therefore, O great king, grant me these three steps of land; do not hesitate. The giving of this will be known as the gift of the three worlds.” With a joyful face, Bali replied, “So be it,” and resolved to grant the land as requested. But at that moment, his priest Ushanas, also known as Shukra, intervened: “O king, do not give the land. This is Vishnu, the supreme lord, implored by the gods. He has come here to obtain all the earth from you through deception. Therefore, do not give land to this great soul; offer something else instead, as I advise.” Bali, laughing calmly, addressed his teacher: “For the pleasure of Vasudeva, I have performed all meritorious acts. Today I am truly blessed, for Vishnu himself has come. To him, I must give—even my life and happiness. Therefore, I will give him even the three worlds without delay.” Having said this, the king devotedly washed Vamana’s feet, poured water to signify the gift, circumambulated him, bowed, and gave the customary fee and wealth. With a heart filled with joy, Bali spoke again to the Brahmin: “I am blessed, I have fulfilled my purpose by giving you the earth, O Brahmin. As you wish, O best of Brahmins, take this earth.” Vishnu then spoke to the king, “Today, in your presence, I will measure the earth with my foot.” With these words, the Supreme Lord abandoned his dwarf form. Assuming the magnificent form of Trivikrama, Vishnu took possession of the earth, fifty crores in extent, along with its oceans and mountains. With a single stride, Madhusudana covered all its seas, islands, and beings—gods, asuras, and humans. The eternal one then addressed Bali, “What shall I do now?” The Trivikrama form of the Lord, immense in power, could not be seen even by Brahma or Shankara, nor by the gods and sages. O beautiful Girija, when that divine foot spanned the whole earth, it extended a hundred yojanas beyond. The eternal one granted Bali divine sight, revealing his own universal form. Seeing this wondrous vision, Bali was filled with incomparable joy; his eyes brimmed with tears of happiness. Bali bowed and praised the Lord with heartfelt hymns. With a voice trembling with emotion, he said, “I am blessed, my purpose is fulfilled, having seen you, O Supreme Lord. You alone should take possession of these three worlds.” Then Vishnu, Lord of all, extended his second, imperishable step upwards, reaching to the world of Brahma. Accompanied by stars, planets, and all the gods, that step of Acyuta filled everything completely, O beautiful one.