In Bali's extensive hall of sacrifice, there were the recitation of Vedas, and the "jam auspicious sounds of music of the instruments. Shukracharya was officiating as the head-priest at the hundredth horse sacrifice. The saints, gandharvas and the subjects from the three worlds had come in large numbers to witness the sacrifice. At one place there were heaps of pearls and precious stones from which gifts were given. At another place cows and jewellery were distributed as gifts. Adorned with clothes made of goldthread, Bali sat with his wife Vindhyavali before the holy fire and performed Homa. Shukracharya approached Bali and whispered, "0 king Bali, it is time to complete the sacrifice. You have to be very careful now. Who can guess the deceitful ways of the Devas ? They may even send Vishnu to this hall of sacrifice. Bali said, "O preceptor, is that so ? Then advise me how I should conduct myself if Vishnu himself comes here." Shukracharya said, "Listen, this is my advice. If Vishnu comes and asks for any gift, deny it cleverly. Plead your inability to give anything to the Almighty and All-powerful and send him away."

Bali was not pleased with this advice and so he said, "Acharya, what kind of talk is this? You know that I have vowed to give charity. The merit earned by giving charity alone has reduced sorrow, poverty and disease and therefore people are happy in my kingdom. Before my time, did not the great emperors Dadheechi and Shibi give away even their bodies in charity? 1, who am ready to give my soul in charity, cannot deny anything to any one who asks for it. Is it not a pleasure to give something dear to us in charity to others instead of enjoying it ourselves ? I beg of you not to place hurdles before me when I wish to give charity."

Even as they were talking thus, the hall of sacrifice filled with murmurs of 'Make way, make way.' Every one moved aside and made way for the new guest. Bali and his queen stood up eagerly and looked towards the entrance gate. A little bachelor of about eight years was making his way towards them. His face was shining with a smile. He held an umbrella over his head. A plait of hair was hanging at the back of his head. He wore the sacred thread on his bare body the lower part of which was covered with cloth made of fibre. Hishands held the staff of an ascetic and a water jug. There was deerskin under his armpit. He wore the mark of sandal wood paste on his forehead. It looked as though he had combined all branches of knowledge in his young body. He was taking his steps towards Bali. Everyone saw what was happening in silence.

The young ascetic addressed Bali and said, "O King Bali, let auspicious things happen to you." Bali, his queenVindhyavali, their son Bana and the rest were struck with wonder and went on admiring his stature for a time.

The young ascetic continued speaking and said, "King of the Daityas, this is asplendid sacrifice. I can judge what a righteous man you are from the flames rising to the skies from the place of sacrifice; from the kind of eatables served to people at this festivity; from the gifts of pearls and precious stones given in charity; from lakhs and lakhs of admiring subjects who have gathered here out of love and from the chanting of the Vedas. You must give me a gift suitable to this superb sacrifice."

Bali felt elated and proud. He turned to his queen and said,"Vindhyavali, how pleasant and meaningful are the words of this little ascetic ! We are indeed fortunate to set our eyes on this jewel of learning. Bring holy water in a golden jug. Let us wash his feet and earn merit." Vindhyavali brought a jug full of water.Bali and his queen washed the feet of the young ascetic, offered flowers and sandalwood paste and worshipped him. Then Bali made him sit on a precious seat and spoke to him, "Great man, though you are young and short, your learning has made you shine above all others. Who are you ? Your handsome body is a feast to the eyes. Your words are sweet like honey. What can I do for you? What can I give you ? Ask whatever you desire, or everything that I have. I shall give anything that you ask."

The young ascetic said "0 king of Danavas I came here to ask you for a gift only because I know you will give all I ask, as you are the lord of the three worlds. I am the son of Kashyapa and my name is Vamanamurthy. I am a bachelor and so I do not need either kingdom or wealth. I have been just initiated into the knowledge of Brahman and started wearing thesacred thread. I am yet to give my gurudakshina to my preceptor. My preceptor Bharadwaja needs a few paces of land to perform the religious rites of 'Agnihotra'. Therefore I ask you to give me only three paces of land to be measured by my feet. That will satisfy me."

Bali burst with laughter on hearing Vamana's request. He said, "One who asks me for anything should not feel the need to ask for gifts from any one else later.

Even if you ask for one of the kingdoms under my authority, I shall grant it. I feel ashamed to give you this little bit of land . What do you gain from this? At least ask for more land."

Vamanamurthy said, "0 king, my work will be fulfilled with the grant of my request. Therefore make me the gift of the three paces of land that I ask." Bali replied, 'Well, let me fulfil your desire. Wait till I bring the golden jug containing water from the hermitage" and went inside the hermi- tage. At once Shukracharya followed Bali into the hermitage and said, 'What is this foolishness,0 king? Without consulting any one you have promised to give charity to the young ascetic. Do you know who this boy really is ? He is the friend of the Devas. It is Vishnu in the form   of Vamana who has come here as your enemy !"

Bali said calmly, "Is that so, gurudeva? Has Narayana, to please whom saints and wise men perform austerities for years, come on his own to ask for charity from me? Has he become Vamana only to take gift from me? I am indeed fortunate that Narayana has come to my place to take a gift from me. This could only be due to the merit earned by me in my previous life."

But Shukracharya said, "King Bali, you feel proud only because of your ignorance. At least now, be wise and take my advice. It is not a sin to go back on one's word in self-defence. So do not give what he asks. If you do not take my advice, it will bring about the ruin of yourself and the Danavas. As soon as he takes the gift from you, Sri Hari will undo you just as he undid Hiranyakashipu."

Bali replied, 'Gurudeva, charity given regardless of the hardships is the best. If

Sri Hari asks, I am prepared to give even my head. Can there be greater glory forme than giving when Sri Hari's hand is spread out to receive the gift ? Please do not stop me from giving."