(Hinduism, Sanksrit)

Vamana, the fifteenth purusha incarnation of Vishnu was also the fifth avatara of Vishnu. A Dwarf, he is described in the Srimad Bhagavatam, thus:

"paƱcadasham vamanakam
kritvagad adhvaram baleh
pada-trayam yacamanah
pratyaditsus tri-pishtapam

In the fifteenth incarnation, the Lord assumed the form of a dwarf-brahmana [Vamana] and visited the arena of sacrifice arranged by Maharaja Bali. Although at heart He was willing to regain the kingdom of the three planetary systems, He simply asked for a donation of three steps of land."

Bhag., Canto 1, Ch. 3, Text 19

(See also Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.7.17 and Eighth Canto, chapters 20- 23.)

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