The Ashwamedh yagya of Maharaj Bali was taking place. He had invited many sages and Brahmans for charity and among one of them was the little Vaman dev.

When he came, his radiance and brilliance outshined all. And thinking him to be a divine entity, Maharaj Bali went towards him first.

His daughter Ratnabala was in awe seeing the small and adorable form of Vaman dev.

'Hey Prabhu, Kaash yeh Mera Putra hota.' Ratnabala prayed internally.

At that Vaman devta looked at her and smiled muttering 'Tathastu' under his breath.

But the small smile of Vamandev's face and charms of his eyes seemed to familiar to Shukracharya.

'Kahi yeh Brahmin Vishnu toh nahi ?' He wondered.

If he was then Shukracharya couldn't let Bhagwaan Vishnu to play his tricks and endanger the status of Asuras once again.

Using his siddhi he went inside the jug of water, through which Bali was about to wash the feet of Vamandev. Because of the Brahmin is not venerated then he won't accept charity.

Bali picked up the jug and was about to pour the water on the little feet of the Vaman dev but the not a single drop fell due to Shukracharya blocking it's mouth.

Bali frowned and shook the jug to know if it's even filled, the sound of water did come but then why was it not pouring ? Bali thought.

"Hey Narayan, yeh kya ho raha hai ?" Bali muttered worried.

"Mujhe dijiye." Vamandev said.

Bali gave the jug to him, and Vamandev picked up a twig from the ground. He puts the twig into the mouth of the jug, poking the eye of Shukracharya.

The Asur-guru winced as he came out of the jug and appeared on the other side, hiding one of his eyes so no one gets suspicious. But he now knew that this Brahmin was indeed Bhagwaan Vishnu.

Bali poured in the water at the feet of Vamandev, finally able to venerate him by washing his little lotus-bud like feet. After he was done, Bali joined his hand in front of Vamandev.

"Kahiye Brahman-devta, kya seva karu ? Dhan, Dhanya, swarna, ratna, moti, kise aapke samne prastut karu ?" Bali asked.

"Maharaj, ek Brahman ko inn sabka kya mol ? Mujhe keval utna chahiye jitna mere liye awashyak ho." Vamandev said.

"Toh aapki kya awashyakta hai ? Batiye Brahman-devta, sankoch na kare. Bali-raj ka vachan hai jo bhi kahenge woh aapka." Bali said joining his hands.

"Mujhe toh keval teen-pag bhar bhumi ki hi awashyakta hai." Vamandev said.

"Kripiya lajjit na kare. Teen-pag bhar bhumi, woh bhi aapke chhote se paer ? Kya hoga usse ?" Bali asked.

"Awashyakta se adhik ki kaamna nahi hai mujhe." Vamandev said.

"Jaisi aapki iccha." Bali bowed.

At that Vaman devta stood up and his size started increasing, soon the little lord was taller than the trees, then taller than the mountains, soon his upper body wasn't even visible for the people on earth.

He had become so tall that he reached the outer space. He was visible from Chaitanya Lok also where Amarsri and Srinav bowed to him. Even Brahmadev and Mata Saraswati from Brahmalok could see him, they too joined their hands in front of his leela.

With one step entire earth was beneath his feet, and with second step the entire swarg lok was covered. He then looked down at Bali, there was no place for the third step.

The mouth of Shukracharya and other Asuras fell open while Ratnabala angrily looked at Vamandev, understanding his tricks.

'Yadi yeh Mera Putra hota toh mai isse doodh mei vish daal ke pila deti !' Ratnabala thought.

A smile appeared in the face of Vamandev as he again muttered 'Tathastu' under his breath. He then looked down at Bali, who had nothing more to give.

"Mere pehle aur dusre pag mei prithvi aur swarglok samaa gaya. Ab teesra pag kaha rakhu Bali ? Tumhare paas kuch shesh nahi hai, tumhara vachan toh apurn reh gaya Bali." Vamandev said.

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A/N

For those who don't know, the daughter of Bali Ratnabala in her next life becomes Putna.

So the lord fulfilled both her wishes as Putna is considered foster mother of Krishna because she fed him her milk and that too poisoned.