Bhageerathi (The Celestial Mother) Part 2 : Vamana & Vishnupathi

Let us now look at the story that answers the questions: Who is Ganga? How did she incarnate?

Among the countless incarnations taken by Lord Vishnu, ten are especially revered as the principal avatars. To destroy the two brothers Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashipu, who were born in the clan of asuras, Lord Vishnu took the Varaha and Narasimha avatars.

Prahlada was the son of Hiranyakashipu. He was blessed as one who possessed divine grace even while in the womb. Though his father was an asura who considered God his enemy, the son, in complete contrast, grew up as a child with immeasurable devotion to Lord Narayana. In fact, it would be more accurate to call it boundless love rather than mere devotion. Sage Narada played a significant role in shaping Prahlada into such a great devotee, and that credit rightfully belongs to him.

Mahabali, also known as Bali Chakravarthi, was Prahlada’s grandson. During his rule, people lived happily and prosperously. Great emperors often performed yajnas (sacrificial rituals) to enhance their power, fame, and authority. One of the most important among them was the Ashwamedha Yajna (where “Ashwa” means horse). Guided by his family preceptor Shukracharya, Bali Chakravarthi successfully completed 99 such yajnas. Those who completed 100 Ashwamedha yajnas would become equal to Indra or gain the authority to rule Indra’s throne and Indra Loka.

To protect Indra, to remove the slight pride that had arisen in Mahabali’s mind, and to grant him the rightful fruits of his virtues, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Vamana. The time arrived. Bali Chakravarthi began his 100th Ashwamedha Yajna.

According to tradition, at the end of the yajna, the king must offer donations to everyone present, and he must not refuse whatever is asked. Only then would the yajna bear complete fruit. Taking advantage of this moment and to fulfill the purpose of his incarnation, Vamana attended the yajna.

Appearing as a small boy of about three years old, holding an umbrella and a water pot (kamandalu), he approached the king seeking alms. At the end of the ritual, he asked for just three steps of land measured by his feet.

Though warned by his guru Shukracharya, who recognized who the visitor truly was, Mahabali boldly agreed to grant the request. In his mind ran the thought: “The one who asks will lower his hand, but my hand, as the giver, will remain raised.” Only the Lord Himself can remove such pride.

The moment Bali granted the boon with sacred water, the small Vamana grew into the colossal form of Trivikrama. With his right foot, he measured all the worlds beneath the earth. With his left foot, he measured all the worlds above — the heavens. Then he asked Mahabali where he could place his third step.

At that moment, Mahabali realized that this was the Lord Himself. The pride within him vanished instantly. The divine vision that even Brahma had to perform penance to obtain was granted so easily to Bali. Even Indra’s throne must have seemed insignificant to him then.

Surrendering completely, Mahabali offered his own head for the third step. The Lord then pressed Bali’s head gently with the toe of his left foot and sent him to Sutala Loka, one of the lower worlds, granting him the privilege to rule there.

Mahabali, who deeply loved his people, requested a boon to visit them once every year. The Lord granted it. The day he comes to visit his people is celebrated as Thiruvonam (Onam festival).

Now, you might be wondering — where does Ganga appear in this story?

When the Lord lifted his left foot to measure the heavens, his toe pierced the shell that covered the universe. At that moment, the sacred waters of the causal ocean outside the universe seeped into it. Since this holy water entered after touching the Lord’s feet, it became the celestial Ganga — Akasha Ganga.

This divine water later took birth as the daughter of Himavan, the king of mountains. Since she originated from touching Vishnu’s feet, she came to be known as Vishnupadi. As instructed by her father, she remained in the celestial realms as Akasha Ganga for a long time.

We shall see how she eventually reached the earth in the next part.

If you too wish to have the darshan of this Trivikrama, you can visit the Trivikrama Narayana Temple at Sirkazhi in Nagapattinam district, Tamilnadu, India - one of the 108 Divya Desas.

With thanks,

Shanmugapriya K Sambathkumar