The story of Bhagwan Vamana

Story

Chiranjeev was a young boy in class 5 who was always cheerful and happy. He was living his life joyfully and had many friends. However, for some days, he started staying quiet and aloof. He did not have friends now, and children would not come close to him. One day, he was sitting alone in the class during recess while all his friends were playing outside.

Their class teacher noticed this and called Chiranjeev, asking, "What is the matter with you? Why are you sitting alone?"

He said, “Ma’am nobody wants to play with me and do not want to be friends with me.”

The teacher went out and spoke with the other students of the class. On inquiry from other children, she was told that Chiranjeev was never happy with anything. He always wanted more and more, also he had become egoistic and prideful. The teacher listened patiently and went back to the class.

In the next period of value education, the teacher decided to tell a story.

“Dear children, today I will tell you a story about Bhagwan Vaman. Listen carefully and tell me the moral in the end.” She began her storytelling.

The Story of Vamana Avatar

Bhagwan Vaman was the 5th avatar of Vishnuji. Thousands and thousands of years ago, there lived a demon king Maha Bali. He was very powerful. All the three worlds were under his control, but his greed never stopped. He was not content with what he had. He defeated Bhagwan Indra and conquered Dev Loka (heaven) but still wanted more.

This disturbed the parents of Bhagwan Indra, Aditi, and Kashyapa. So, they decided to worship Bhagwan Vishnu for protection. Aditi and Kashyapa performed all the prescribed sacred rites (ceremonies) correctly.

Pleased with their devotion and prayers, Vishnu Ji took the form (avatar) of a Vamana (means dwarf in Sanskrit). He appeared in the form of dwarf Brahman. Surya Bhagwan gave him a sacred thread, Chandra Bhagwan gave him a stick (Brahma-danda), Mother Aditi gave him an undergarment, and the sky God gave him an umbrella. Brahma Ji gave him a jug of water, Maa Saraswati gave him a Rudraksha Rosary (a string of round pieces of wood) and Bhagwan Kuber gave him a begging vessel. Thus, his look as a Brahman was complete.

One day the demon king Maha Bali was performing a yagna (ritual done in front of sacred fire). Vishnu Bhagwan in the form of Vamana Avatar (a dwarf Brahman) appeared in the yagna. The demon king offered to donate something to the Vamana, to which Vamana humbly asked for a small gift of land in three footsteps.

In those days, Brahmins were never refused, but the request for such a small amount of land surprised Mahabali. Guru Shukracharya, present in the yagna recognized Bhagwan Vishnu and he tried to alert Maha Bali. But, once a promise is made to the Brahman cannot be taken back. So, Bali granted Vamana’s request and Vishnuji transformed himself from a dwarf to a gigantic form (Trivikrama).

The Three Steps of Vamana Avatar

Bhagwan Vaman, in the first two steps, took back Earth and Dev Lok (heaven) and the space between them. But, in the third step, Vamana had no place to step his foot. Maha Bali shattered by his lack of wisdom and ashamed of his greed and ego, placed his head in front of Bhagwan Vamana. So, Bhagwan Vaman placed his third step on the demon king's head, destroying his ego and greed.

 The teacher ended her story here and asked the children for the moral of the story.

Life lessons from the Vamana Avatar story

We should not be greedy and want more and more as there is no end to our desires. We should be happy and content with what we have.

Chiranjeev was quiet throughout the class and realized where he had gone wrong. He too was sorry for his behaviour like Bali. He had learned an important lesson and decided to be humble and kind.