Vamana is the dwarf avatar of Vishnu who asks the generous king Bali for three paces of land.
Bali has conquered the three worlds and is performing a major sacrifice when Vamana arrives in the guise of a young Brahmin dwarf. Bali grants the request despite warnings from his teacher Shukra. Vamana then expands into the cosmic form called Trivikrama.
With his first two strides, Vamana covers the earth and the heavens, leaving no place for the promised third step. Bali keeps his word and offers his own head. Vishnu places the final step there and sends Bali to the netherworld, often identified as Sutala, while restoring the realms to Indra.
The tale is not simply a story of deception. Bali’s generosity and commitment to his promise earn him Vishnu’s blessing, and in Kerala he is celebrated as the righteous king associated with the festival of Onam. Vamana is the fifth avatar in the standard Dashavatara sequence.