25th September, 2015 is the VAMAN JAYANTI that is 5th incarnation of Lord Vishnu

25^th September, 2015 is the VAMAN JAYANTI that is 5^th incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Treta Yuga to face King Mahabali. Vaman Jayanti is celebrated every year on the 12^th day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase/period of moon) of the Bhadrapad month/Badrapada Shudda Dwadasi/Bhadarwa Sud Bharas (Dvadasi) as per Hindu calendar.

After churning of the ocean, Swarg’s Raja Indra and other Devatas became immortal and powerful. Once upon a time, Indra’s army defeated Daityaraj Bali, the grandson of Lord Vishnu’s BHAKT PRAHLAD, and his army of Daityas.

One day Daityaraj Bali (also known as King Mahabali) went to meet Demons Guru Shukracharya and asked him, “Acharya, please show me a way to gain back all my powers of kingdom.”

Hearing Bali’s words, Sukracharya replied, “You must perform the Mahabhishek Vishwajeet Yajnas to get back all your powers and to maintain rule over the three worlds (Trilok Vijeta). If you keep on performing 100 Ashwamegha Yajnas, you can live a fearless and powerful life. The performer of 100 Yajnas can become Lord Indra. You should also give alms to poor and the Brahmins.”

When Devraaj Indra knows about the 100 Yajnas of King Bali, he approached to Devacharya Brihaspati (who is Guru of Swarg’s Devatas) about this. Devaguru Brihaspati asked Indra to seek Lord Vishnu’s help. Now Indra started doing penance so as to please Lord Vishnu. Maharishi Kashyap’s wife Aditi, who was Indra’s mother, saw her son in trouble and went to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu said, “I will help you, Devmata. I will be born as your son in the near future and then I will face to Bali.”

Here Asureswar Bali readily agreed to do so and started Yajnas under the supervision of Daityas Guru Shukracharya.

And so it happen that Aditi gave birth to a boy. She named him Vaman (Vaman also called Upendra-younger brother of Indra). One day Vaman posed as a dwarf Brahmin (brahmin bala brahmachari) carrying a wooden umbrella in his hand and went to the spot where Shukracharya and Danavraaj Bali were performing final Yajna of 100 Yajnas. Bali welcomed the Brahmin boy and said, “How can I help you young Brahmin?”

The Brahmin said, “I have heard a lot about you and give alms to Brahmins. I do not want wealth or luxuries; I just need the land that my three steps (paces) cover.”

All the people who were present there were surprised to hear the request of the Brahmin boy. The Asuras laughed at the boy’s request. Demon King Bali agreed to grant him what he wanted. At that time Asuras Guru Shukracharya warned Bali, “Be careful Bali ! I am very sure this Brahmin is not an ordinary boy. He is surely Vaman, Lord Vishnu himself. Don’t let him takes the steps otherwise you will have to lose everything you have.” But Bali said, “Acharya, I have given him my word. I cannot go back from it.” Suddenly, to everyone’s surprise, the dwarf Brahmin boy started growing in size. Soon he was larger than planet Earth itself. He took a large step and put it on Earth to claim it and said, “Now the earth is mine.” Then he took the second stride and put it on Amravati (Swarg) and said, “Now Amravati is mine.” Amravati also became under the Brahmin boy’s possession. Then he said, “Bali where should I keep my third step? Earth and Heaven are already mine. Now there is no place left.”

Mahabali then addressed Vaman and said, “As nothing else is left you may keep your third step on my head.” i.e. Bali offered his own head as a stepping-stone.

At this time the Asuras spoke out in protest but Bali explained that all living and non-living things are God's creation and so it was God's right to have their return.

Lord Vishnu put his third step on Mahabali's head causing him to drown in Patal Lok (the netherworld). Trivikrama {one who strides over the three worlds (Swarg, Earth & Patal) in three steps} Lord Vishnu, seeing the devotion of Mahabali, appeared in his true form and said, “I bless you, Bali. From now on, you will rule Patal Lok forever hence indirectly Bali Raja blessed to be immortal (Chiranjeevi).”

Thus Bali after being sent down to Patal Lok (the underworld) Indra and the other Devatas retained Amravati (Swarg) due to Lord Vishnu’s Vaman Avtar.