Sukra advised Bali to perform one hundred Asvamedha sacrifices.
Aditi became disconsolate at the down-fall of her sons. She asked her husband Kasyapa what to do âgavataPurâfor her sons. The Prajâpati advised her to observe Payoravata in honor of Vishnu (for details, see the original). She observed the Vrata for 12 days when Vishnu appeared before her and assured her He would incarnate as her son.
Vâmana was born of Aditi at midday, on the 12th day of the moon, during the white quarter in the month of Bhâdra, while the moon was in the first part of Sravanâ, in the Abhijit.
(Vâmana = Dwarf). Vâmana heard that Bali was performing Asvamedha on the banks of the Narmadâ. He went there and Bali received him duly and enquired what he wanted, expressing his willingness to gratify him fully. Vâmana asked for only three paces of ground. Bali laughed at this modest prayer and asked him to take more land. But Vâmana excused himself, saying a Brâhmana should be content with small things only. Bali laughed again and at once said "Then accept." He then took the water pot to make the formal gift. Sukra perceived the object of Vishnu. He tried to dissuade Bali from carrying out his promise. "This is not a dwarf Brâhmana but Vishnu Himself. By one pace he will cover the whole of Bhûr Loka and Bhuvar Loka. By the second pace, He will cover Svar Loka and what then will become of the third pace? You will have to go to Naraka for not being able to fulfil your promise. And where shall you yourself remain after giving over all you have? Therefore desist from what you are doing. No doubt truth is preferable. But the Vedas also allow untruth in extreme cases."
Bali replied: -- "The grandson of Prahlâda shall never speak an untruth. I will give to this Brâhmana boy what I have promised, even if he be Vishnu and my enemy too."
Sukra said in anger -- "You disregard the words of your Guru. So you shall forthwith lose everything."
Bali remained unmoved. He worshipped the Brâhmana boy and read out the formal Mantra of giving over three paces of land. Vindhyâvali, the virtuous consort of Bali, at this time placed a golden pitcher filled with water before her husband. He washed the feet of Vâmana with that water, and sprinkled it over his head. Then Vâmana wonderfully grew in size. The whole Universe became visible in him. He seized the whole of Bhûr Loka with one pace the whole of Bhuvar Loka with his body, and the directions in space with his hands, so that even the whole of Svar Loka became insufficient for the second pace. But nothing remained for the third pace. For the second pace of Vâmana passed through Mahar Loka, Jana Loka, Tapas Loka and reached even Satya Loka.