In the splendid city of Bāṣkala, filled with the sweet fragrances of the Dānavas, there dwelt a mighty Dānava who had brought the three worlds under his sway. He ruled over all that moved and all that was still, enjoying his sovereignty with happiness and peace. This king was not merely powerful—he was wise in righteousness, grateful for all he received, steadfast in truth, and master of his own senses. Handsome and discerning in matters of policy and its opposite, he was deeply devoted to the Brahmins and served as a refuge for those in distress, his compassion ever evident. Endowed with great energy from the power of Vedic mantras, he possessed all manner of powers and was ever enthusiastic in the sixfold policy of kingship. He greeted others with a smile, and his words were always gracious. He knew the essence of the Vedas and all their branches, performed sacrifices with devotion, practiced austerity, and never engaged in wicked conduct. Nonviolence marked his rule everywhere. He both honored others and was honored himself, maintaining purity and a pleasant countenance. He worshipped and was worshipped, understood every purpose, was unassailable, fortunate, and pleasing to behold. Under his reign, the city flourished with abundant grain, wealth, and vehicles. He always accomplished the three aims of life—dharma, artha, and kāma—and stood foremost among men in the three worlds. Dwelling always in his own city, he destroyed the pride of both gods and demons, and through his protection, all beings in the three worlds enjoyed peace. No one among the demons was base or ignoble under his rule; none were poor, afflicted, short-lived, or unhappy. There were no fools, no one ugly, unfortunate, or rejected. All saw in their king a treasury of pure qualities and a mind unshakable in its resolve. Such was his greatness that even the mighty Purandara, Indra himself, sought to please this radiant and ascetic chief of the demons, who shone like the sun. Astonished by the Dānava’s power to sustain the three worlds, Indra came in person to Bāṣkala’s city, gazing upon the demon king with wonder. The fierce demons, ever ready for battle, were amazed and said, “This is indeed a wonder—Indra himself approaches your city!” They gathered and asked their king, “Alone, with the foremost Brahmin Vāmana, Indra comes. O lord, tell us what we should do.” The king addressed his followers: “Remain gathered within the city. Let the king of the gods enter, for today he is to be honored by me.” At that very moment, Vāmana and Indra arrived, and the lord of the demons gazed upon them with loving regard. Feeling fulfilled, he offered respectful salutations and spoke with joy: “Today, in all the three worlds, none is more blessed than I, for surrounded by prosperity, I see Śakra come to my house. Whoever comes to my house seeking something—out of desire or need—I will surely grant their request, even if it costs me my very life. What need have I for wife, children, or home in the three worlds? Having seen you face to face, I seat you respectfully on my lap.” Embracing and welcoming Indra, he led him into his house, performed the proper rituals of welcome with water and other offerings, and worshipped him diligently. “Today my birth is fruitful, all my desires are fulfilled, for I see you, Śakra, come to my house in person. I am made renowned among the chief demons by you, king of the gods; by your coming to my house, my merit is indeed supreme. The fruit obtained from sacrifices like Agniṣṭoma, properly performed, is attained by seeing you, Purandara. Whatever fruit arises from giving land, or from giving cows to a priest, or even from performing the Rājasūya sacrifice—may that fruit be mine today. Your audience, O Vāsava, cannot be attained by small austerity; now that you are in my house, tell me what dear act I should do for you. Let there be no other thought in your heart; whatever you desire, even if extremely difficult, consider it already done. I am blessed, I have attained merit by seeing you, O destroyer of enemies; your feet, worshipped by the best of gods, have been honored by me. Tell me, Lord, the purpose of your coming—tell me everything; I consider the reason for your arrival to be most extraordinary.” Indra replied, “I know you to be the chief among the Dānavas, O Bāṣkala; seeing you, O best of Asuras, is not so astonishing. Those who come to your house as petitioners never leave disappointed; you are like the wish-fulfilling tree to those who seek, and there is no other giver like you. In brilliance you are like the sun, in depth like the ocean; in forbearance you are the earth itself, and in splendor you are like Nārāyaṇa. “This brāhmaṇa Vāmana, born in the lineage of Kaśyapa, has requested me thus: ‘Grant me three steps of land.’ For the sake of my fire-sacrifice, where I would perform the ritual, this is the reason for my request, O Lord—this is what I seek. You have seized the three worlds by your stride, O Bāṣkala; I am left without means, without wealth—what you wish to give, I do not possess. I will ask you, even for another’s sake or my own; since I am also a petitioner, do what is fitting in this matter. You are born in the lineage of Kaśyapa, the increaser of the line; you were conceived by Diti, and your father is honored by the three worlds. Knowing you to be such, I now ask you: for the sake of this fire-sacrifice, grant three steps of land.” To this, Bāṣkala replied, “To Vāmana, whose body is exceedingly small, O Dānava, I am not able to give land belonging to another. I give only what you have asked of me; if my elders or counselors approve, let him have the three steps.” Thus, in the city of Bāṣkala, amidst abundance and virtue, the great king of the Dānavas welcomed Indra and Vāmana with honor and humility, ready to fulfill their request in the presence of all.