The keeping of a promise, it is said, is the eternal duty of the virtuous. So thought Bāṣkali, the great Dānava, as he reflected upon his vow. If the one who had come to him was truly the Blessed Viṣṇu himself, then, he mused, there could be no one more fortunate than he. If this divine being wished to accept a gift from him, seeking the welfare of the gods, Bāṣkali felt even more blessed by the presence of this god. He marveled to himself that the very one whom yogis, absorbed in deep meditation, rarely behold—even such a one had appeared before him that day. With reverence, he prayed that those who offer gifts with hands bearing kuśa grass and water might please the Blessed Viṣṇu, the supreme soul and eternal one. Yet, as these thoughts and words arose, Bāṣkali found himself troubled by doubt—what was the right course of action in this moment, especially for those entitled to liberation? He recalled the teachings imparted to him since his youth: that nothing should be refused, not even to an enemy who comes to one’s house. Reflecting deeply, he resolved with conviction, “O teacher, I would even give my own life; I will give to Vāmana even the heaven of Indra.” He recognized, too, that a true gift is one that causes no harm, while a harmful gift is tainted. Hearing this, Bāṣkali’s teacher bowed his head in shame. Then Bāṣkali declared, “O Lord, since you have requested it, I shall give all the earth.” He added, “It would be an embarrassment to me if only three steps of land are given.” Indra, king of the gods, responded, “O lord of the Dānavas, what you have said is indeed true. This Brāhmaṇa has asked me for three steps of earth, and you, too, have been requested by me on his behalf. O son of Danu, you have been asked; let this boon be granted.” Bāṣkali then turned to Viṣṇu and said, “O king of the gods, accept from me three steps of land for Vāmana. May you dwell happily there for a long time, O lord of the gods.” With these words, Bāṣkali gave three steps of land to Vāmana, performing the ritual with water as a sacred act, hoping Hari himself would be pleased. As soon as the lord of the Dānavas gave his gift, Hari abandoned the diminutive form of Vāmana. Taking on his vast, cosmic form, Hari strode across the worlds, seeking the welfare of the gods. He reached the Yajña mountain, facing north as he went. The abode of the Dānavas was placed at the god’s left foot, and upon the sun, the Lord of the universe made his first step. With his second step, the god touched Dhruva, the pole star. With his third, O king, he struck the very cosmic egg with wondrous might. From the tip of his great toe, as the cosmic egg was pierced, abundant waters gushed forth, flooding all the worlds, even reaching Brahmaloka. This divine flood swept through the realm of Dhruva, the world of the sun, and Yajña mountain, finally entering Puṣkara, washing the sacred footprints of Viṣṇu. The footprints that appeared on earth became known as Vaiṣṇava. Whoever visits that holy hermitage and bathes in the pond there attains the fruit of an Aśvamedha sacrifice simply by seeing it, and, accompanied by twenty-one groups, attains residence in Vaikuṇṭha. After enjoying vast pleasures for three hundred kalpas, such a one is reborn as a universal monarch on earth. O Bhīṣma, that stream of water which issued from the tip of Viṣṇu’s big toe is called the Vaiṣṇavī river, born from the foot of Viṣṇu. For this reason, O king, the Gaṅgā came to be known as Viṣṇupadī, by which the entire threefold world, with all that moves and does not move, was pervaded. The pure water that flowed from the wound at the tip of Viṣṇu’s big toe attained the status of the divine river and became known as Viṣṇupadī. By this sacred river, the entire cosmic egg, with all that moves and does not move, was pervaded, out of the Lord’s desire to bestow grace upon all beings. Then Vāmana addressed Bāṣkali, saying, “Fulfill my steps.” At this, Bāṣkali became downcast and could find no reply. Seeing him rendered silent, the priest spoke: “The power to give is innate; we are not able to create it ourselves.” Bāṣkali then said to Viṣṇu, “O Lord, as much as this earth exists, so much has been given to you by me—as far as the earth extends. What was created by you before, that I have not withheld; the land is small, you are vast, but I am not able to create more. The power of will, O Lord, always rests with you.” Recognizing Bāṣkali as a speaker of truth, Viṣṇu remained silent for a moment. Then he said, “Speak, O chief of Dānavas, what boon shall I grant you? The water in my hand was given by you, O Dānava. Therefore, you are worthy to choose a boon. I will grant you your wish—ask for whatever you desire.” Thus addressed, Bāṣkali petitioned Janārdana, the Lord of gods: “O Lord of gods, I choose devotion; let my death come only at your hands. I will go to Śvetadvīpa, which is hard to attain even for ascetics.” Viṣṇu replied, “Remain there until the end of the age. When I, in the form of the Boar, enter the earth, then I will slay you here, when you come before me.” Thus addressed, the Dānava withdrew from that place, and Vāmana encompassed all the worlds. With the Asuras gone, the truthfulness of the gods was established, and the Lord, having seized the three worlds, became invisible. Bāṣkali, now dwelling in Pātāla, remained there happily, while Śakra, the wise Indra, protected the three worlds. This wondrous manifestation of the Guru of the world is known as Trivikrama, united with the origin of the Ganges, the destroyer of all sins.