# Lord Vāmana > [!summary] > *Lord Vāmana is the dwarf brāhmaṇa incarnation of Lord Viṣṇu who appeared to reclaim the three worlds from Bali Mahārāja for the demigods. Although appearing as a small brahmacārī begging only three steps of land, He revealed His universal form and covered the entire universe in two steps. The third step was placed on Bali's head, granting the great devotee eternal residence in Sutala.* ## The Dwarf Incarnation ![[sb/8/18/12]] ![[cc/madhya/20/298-299#translation]] ## Begging Three Steps ![[sb/8/19/16-17#translation]] ![[sb/8/19/27#translation]] ## The Universal Form Revealed ![[sb/8/20/21]] ![[sb/8/20/32-33#translation]] ## Bali's Surrender ![[sb/8/22/2]] ![[sb/8/22/4#translation]] ## The Lord's Mercy on Bali ![[sb/8/22/33-34#translation]] ![[sb/8/23/8#translation]] ## Lessons from Vāmana's Pastime ![[sb/8/19/21]] ![[cc/madhya/20/200#translation]] ## Related Articles - [[wiki/articles/bali-maharaja|Bali Mahārāja]] — The great devotee - [[wiki/articles/the-six-types-of-avataras|The six types of avatāras]] — Classification of incarnations - [[wiki/articles/the-principal-demigods|The principal demigods]] — Whom Vāmana helped - [[wiki/articles/charity-and-giving|Charity and giving]] — Bali's example ## From the Index - [[index/entries/vamana-lord|Vāmana, Lord]] — Complete references - [[index/entries/bali-maharaja|Bali Mahārāja]] — The devotee king - [[index/entries/charity|Charity]] — Giving to the Lord - [[index/entries/incarnations-of-supreme-lord|Incarnations]] — All avatāras